Foster care is a great system for those who don’t have support. Some foster families are excellent, taking in these children as if they were their own. However, some foster parents abandon these children when they age out of the system. Here are some of the challenges youth face when aging out of foster care that everyone in the program should know.
Financial
Not many eighteen-year-olds are financially independent. That’s why it’s unfair to expect it from kids aging out of foster care. The truth is, the system provided everything for these kids until they turn eighteen. Then, the minute they turn eighteen, they’re expected to provide for themselves. This is just one of the challenges youth face when aging out of foster care.
Healthcare
Since foster care systems provide healthcare for kids, they can struggle when they age out of it. Again, because they don’t have much money, they can’t pay for a plan independently. For this reason, these individuals should look into government-run programs before they age out. The more research they do beforehand, the better.
Emotional
People aging out of foster care can have severe emotional issues. This is the first time they’re by themselves. As a result, they can feel incredibly lonely. Also, individuals aging out of foster care can feel stressed because of their newfound responsibilities. These people should prioritize their mental health above all else.
Aging out of foster care isn’t easy. All of a sudden, someone is out on their own and responsible for so many things. That’s why it’s essential to equip these kids with the right tools before they age out of the system. Arise Foundation has a life skills training program for youth to teach them how to handle the world’s harsh realities. Our goal is to give kids the tools they need to act like productive members of society.