Transition-age foster youth are young people between 16 and 25 years old who are transitioning out of the foster care system and into adulthood. Many of them are not prepared to live independently or have a strong support system to lean on. They may need help with finding stable housing or employment, paying for college, and curating supportive relationships they can rely on. Youth aging out of care could also be experiencing trauma and other challenges in addition to these transitions. We speak with Amy Dworsky and Liz Squibb about the common obstacles foster youth face as they age out of care, and actions we can take to better support youth and families.

What happens after foster youth age out of care? What supports do they need to thrive as adults?

Guest speaker 1: Amy Dworsky, Senior Research Fellow, Chapin Hall

Guest speaker 2: Liz Squibb, Senior Associate, Center for the Study of Social Policy

Interviewer: Dr. Joseph Bishop, Executive Director & co-founder, UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools

Among Us is a podcast by the UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools. Geneva Sum is the host and Creative Director. Joseph Bishop is the Interviewer. Elizabeth Windom is the Supervising Producer. Julia Windom is the Editor. Caitlyn McAloon is the Production Coordinator. J Woodward is the Senior Producer. Among Us is produced by Windhaven Productions and Bluejay Atlantic.

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Show Notes:

• Youth in Transition (Aging Out)
• Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth: Outcomes at Age 26 (Courtney, et al., 2011).
• Foster(ing) Youth in the California State University: Understanding the Vital Role of Campus Support Programs (UCLA CTS report, 2023).
• FUP (Family Unification Program)
• FYI (Foster Youth to Independence) Program
• Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative
• Child Tax Credit

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