The Reality of Aging Out of The Foster Care System
Informing the general public of the issues associated with aging out of the foster system and the leading causes behind them.
Nearly half of youths aging out of the foster care system find themselves homeless due to a lack of systematic programs and public awareness.
This project uses literature reviews, diary studies, and mind mapping to identify the leading causes behind homelessness amongst emancipated foster youths. Reviewing first-hand accounts of children and adults associated with the foster care system provides insight into how youth in the foster care system view their situations and how these affect them.
This project aims to inform the public of the statistical and emotional reality regarding homelessness amongst emancipated foster youth to encourage awareness of the issues associated with the foster care system in the U.S. This is the stepping stone to creating actual change in the foster care system.
By raising awareness, more people will be encouraged to become active in assisting foster youth, for example, by becoming foster parents.
This project proposes a solution to homelessness amongst emancipated foster youth: By targeting foster parents, foster care workers, and foster youth through interactive activities from the Beyond Foster Care share box, we draw more attention to the importance of preparing youth for the transition out of the system while also opening up a new way for youth to communicate with their foster parents and caretakers.
Exploring Foster Care Group Activity Cards
This group activity serves as a connecting point between foster parents or workers and the foster youth. The primary goal of the share box is to be sent out along with new youth placements in a foster home. This group activity is intended to break the ice so that foster youth feel more comfortable with their foster parents or caretakers.
Parental Affirmation Brochure
The parental brochure serves as a directive for parents to utilize affirmation and become informed on important mental health factors that pertain to foster youth. The mental health section further emphasizes the difference that foster parents and workers can make in the lives of foster youth simply by using affirmative language.
Conversation Starters Foster Parent Cards
The “Conversation Starter” cards are to be discussed with fellow foster parents or caretakers. They inform foster parents and workers of the realities of foster care and the effects that they as foster caretakers can have on the future of foster youth.
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