Thickening the Safety Net: Key Elements to Successful Independent Living Programs for Young Adults Aging out of Foster Care

St. John's Journal of Legal Commentary, Vol. 23, p. 447, 2008

Suffolk University Law School Research Paper No. 08-35

30 Pages Posted: 5 Nov 2008

See all articles by Erik S. Pitchal

Erik S. Pitchal

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Date Written: 2008

Abstract

Every year, almost 25,000 children in foster care across the nation turn 18 and "age out" of state custody. They have been raised by the state because their own families were unable or unwilling to care for them, and they have never been adopted nor have they found a permanent home to spend their childhood. The challenges facing these youth at age 18 are enormous; many studies document the poor outcomes they experience. This Articles analyzes the reasons that the child welfare system is failing so many adolescents, identifies some basic principles for reform, and describes some innovative social service programs that, adhering to these principles, are worthy of replication.

Suggested Citation

Pitchal, Erik S., Thickening the Safety Net: Key Elements to Successful Independent Living Programs for Young Adults Aging out of Foster Care (2008). St. John's Journal of Legal Commentary, Vol. 23, p. 447, 2008, Suffolk University Law School Research Paper No. 08-35, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1295605

Erik S. Pitchal (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
177
Abstract Views
1,159
Rank
306,387
PlumX Metrics