The Reality of Aging Out of The Foster Care System: Informing the General Public of the Issues Associated with Aging Out of the Foster System and the Leading Causes Behind Them

Nearly half of youths aging out of the foster care system find themselves homeless due to a lack of systematic programs and public awareness. Due to unawareness of the resources available to foster children in the United States, much foster youth end up uncertain how to navigate their lives after emancipation, which often results in homelessness. This project uses literature reviews, diary studies, and mind mapping to identify the leading causes behind homelessness amongst emancipated foster youths. Reviewing first-hand accounts of children and adults associated with the foster care system provides insight into how youth in the foster care system view their situations and how these affect them. This project aims to inform the public of the statistical and emotional reality regarding homelessness amongst emancipated foster youth to encourage awareness of the issues associated with the foster care system in the U.S. This is the stepping stone to creating actual change in the foster care system. By raising awareness, more people will be encouraged to become active in assisting foster youth, for example, by becoming foster parents. This project proposes a solution to homelessness amongst emancipated foster youth. By targeting foster parents, foster care workers, and foster youth through interactive activities from the Beyond Foster Care share box, more attention is drawn to the importance of preparing youth for the transition out of the system. At the same time, a new way for youth to communicate with their foster parents and caretakers becomes available