Teens in the foster care system have much lower adoption rates than younger children and wait much longer to be adopted. If a child is not adopted, they face aging out of the system and do not have a place to call home. According to adoption.com more than 23,000 children reach the age of 18 and age out of the foster care system each year, and 20% of these children will become instantly homeless. Therefore, for teens in the system, instead of counting down the days until they become an adult, dread it knowing the harsh reality they will soon face.

Essentially, when a child becomes an adult at the age of 18 there is no more funding for foster families due to what TFI Family Connections calls a “threshold” where the now adults are no longer eligible to receive assistance. For most, when they turn 18, they are in the midst of high school, and not ready to take on full adult responsibilities. Once foster children age out of the system, they are much less likely to obtain a high school diploma and often must drop out to support themselves. A high percentage go right from attending high school to living on the streets.

An NPR study puts into perspective how dire the situation becomes for those who age out and the increased risks they face. By the age of 24, less than half of those that aged out were employed, and only about 6% had two- or four-year degrees. At 24 more than two-thirds of the women had their own children, and 60% of the men had been convicted of a crime. Almost a quarter of those surveyed were homeless at some point since leaving foster care. Additionally, The National Foster Youth Institute reports one out of every two kids who ages out of the system will develop a substance dependence, and about 25% of children who age out will suffer from PTSD. The statistics are staggering and suggest a major crack in the foster care system, yet next to nothing is being done to assist children as they transition out of the system.

Like many of the other problems the foster care system faces, there are different solutions and many of which are incredibly complex, but also very doable. The idea of extending care to the age of 21 is one suggestion that has been incredibly popular. By adding extra years in the system beyond 18, people in the system would have much better chances of completing high school. Completing high school would open many more opportunities and jobs compared to not having a diploma or something comparable like a GED. This “extension period” of 18 to 21 could be a sort of “transition” out of the system were the new adults could be provided the tools to succeed. These could be things like financial literacy and other independence and adult skills. Transitional housing has also been a popular suggestion as it prevents the immediate homelessness that many experience once they turn 18. Another popular suggestion of transitional support is providing those who turn 18 a counselor who discusses with them their future, and their aspirations, and provides assistance in reaching these aspirations.

Most children who are not in the foster care system do not just get cut off from the support of their families at the age of 18, so why should children in foster care be abruptly cut off once they turn 18? By allowing these children a period of transition into adulthood, like most 18-year old’s get, we as a society are better able to prepare them for success.