Bibi (Executive Director of Forward Step) sent me an article she heard on KPCC public radio: “The power of 3 extra years: AB12 to the rescue of California’s foster youth”. According to the article, “foster kids at 18 are more likely to be homeless, incarcerated, or addicted to drugs than the average teen.” So AB12, the California Fostering Connections Success Act, is an amended bill revised to address those concerns. It will allow foster youth to be eligible for extended benefits until the age of 21 as long as they continue their education or job training and work at least part time.
Now that sounds great and a wonderful opportunity for those foster youth who are pushing themselves along that path, but what about those who are not complying by those conditions? What makes them “ineligible” of our help if the system has already failed them? If it is true foster kids are more likely to be homeless, incarcerated or addicted to drugs than other teens, then what more or other can the foster care system do to minimize those chances before they reach 18? Foster kids should be well equipped for the real world once they have reached the legal age. Like a parent, we, as a collective, have a social responsibility to make sure we have given these kids the same tools and opportunities that all kids should be entitled to. In the end, it will cost us more if we do not do our best. Every parent, teacher, and social worker out there knows the “good kids” are not the only ones that need our time, care, and attention; we must also nurture the kids that might be rough around the edges.
So yes, AB12 is a victory for the foster care youth. But what else can we do? What else could our foster care system pay attention to? Any ideas?
I've read articles, and have experienced first hand, how the mind is not fully in adulthood until well into our 20's. Well, I'm over 30 and still just need to call my mom sometimes. I wonder how much support foster-young-adults get beyond their standard foster care years. I mean, we all could use a good mom, a dad too, . . . like almost always.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this is a specific cause-related market for Forward Step--direct fund-raising toward sponsoring COMPASS programs in partnership with the social agencies in charge of foster care for teenagers.
ReplyDelete