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The concentration of older youth in the child welfare system is a national issue. State and federal foster care program support typically ends at age 18 when youth are developmentally unprepared to assume full adult roles and responsibilities. Many of these youth face the prospect of leaving state custody disconnected from supportive adults, services, and socioeconomic supports that would significantly increase their chances of becoming productive, self-sustaining adults. Termination of the foster care experience for these youths at such an early age creates a serious support gap during their transition to adulthood. This article considers the repercussion of discharging youth from foster care at age 18 based on recent research that demonstrates that youth at this age are not prepared to live “independently”. It examines the impact of terminating foster care support at time when other non-foster youth continue to receive a substantial amount of emotional and material assistance from their families. Drawing upon recent research findings, a new framework is proposed for state and federal policy regarding a support timetable and social work practice for youth transitioning out of foster care. Key words: foster care; child welfare; aging out; emerging adulthood; independent livin