| STATISTICS |
National Foster Care Youth Statistics
There are more than 500,000 children and youth in foster care in the
U.S.; approximately 20,000 youth “age out” or emancipate from
foster care each year. 100,000 foster youth live in California.
In California, 65% of youth leaving foster care do so without a place
to live. Up to 50% of former foster/probation youth become
homeless within the first 18 months of emancipation.
Twenty seven percent (27%) of the homeless population spent time
in foster care. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of all young adults
accessing federally funded youth shelters in 1997 had previously
been in foster care.
Less than half of former foster youth are employed 2.5-4 years after
leaving foster care, and only 38% have maintained employment for
at least one year. Youth in foster care are 44% less likely to
graduate from high school and after emancipation, 40 – 50 percent
never complete high school.
Girls in foster care are six times more likely to give birth before the
age of 21 than the general population.
Sixty percent (60%) of women who emancipate from foster care
become parents within 2.5-4 years after exiting care.
There are more than 500,000 children and youth in foster care in the
U.S.; approximately 20,000 youth “age out” or emancipate from
foster care each year. 100,000 foster youth live in California.
In California, 65% of youth leaving foster care do so without a place
to live. Up to 50% of former foster/probation youth become
homeless within the first 18 months of emancipation.
Twenty seven percent (27%) of the homeless population spent time
in foster care. Fifty-eight percent (58%) of all young adults
accessing federally funded youth shelters in 1997 had previously
been in foster care.
Less than half of former foster youth are employed 2.5-4 years after
leaving foster care, and only 38% have maintained employment for
at least one year. Youth in foster care are 44% less likely to
graduate from high school and after emancipation, 40 – 50 percent
never complete high school.
Girls in foster care are six times more likely to give birth before the
age of 21 than the general population.
Sixty percent (60%) of women who emancipate from foster care
become parents within 2.5-4 years after exiting care.
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