Prior to the implementation of the Fostering Connections to Success Act, or more commonly known as AB12, foster youth aged out of the system at age 18.  Despite legally being considered adults, many of these former foster youth had yet to gain the skills required for successful independent living.  With the new law, there is hope that homelessness rates among foster youth will decrease, and these young adults will be able to feel a certain level of freedom while simultaneously receiving services to assist them in their transition to successful and sustainable independence.  SFCASA is actively working on expanding our own program to better serve this new population of non-minor dependents.  To read more about this issue from the perspective of a former foster youth, please click here.

There are a lot of similarities between the foster youth and homeless youth for whom the John Burton Foundation advocates. Foster care services, extended by AB12, may be able to help those youth who previously would not have entered foster care. Under the previous system many homeless youth did not become dependents because they were considered too close to aging out or feared getting their families into trouble. For some, the time limitation that forced youth out of foster care at 18 may have led to an assumption that it wasn’t worth going through the often lengthy and contentious process of bringing an older youth into care. Click here to read this article by Amy Lemly from the John Burton Foundation.

While many young adults may still receive financial support from their parents beyond the age of 18, foster youth often don’t have the luxury. Fortunately, with the success of AB12, or the Fostering Connections to Success Act, foster youth will continue to receive support and services until they are 21. A study of youth aging out of foster care in Illinois where the policy has been in place for years showed what a difference such support makes: increased college enrollment, delayed pregnancy, increased earnings, and more housing stability. “While many young adults may still receive financial support from their parents beyond the age of 18, foster youth often don’t have the luxury. Fortunately, with the success of AB12, or the Fostering Connections to Success Act, foster youth will continue to receive support and services until they are 21. A study of youth aging out of foster care in Illinois where the policy has been in place for years showed what a difference such support makes: increased college enrollment, delayed pregnancy, increased earnings, and more housing stability. Click here to read more about this legislation.