THE PROBLEM
According to national estimates, approximately 20,000 children between the ages of 18 and 21 “age out” of foster care each year (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005).   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.  There are 29,312 children in foster care in the state of Florida, 25.8% are between the ages of 13 and 21.  In 2005, 20,539 children exit foster care.  1,344 (6.5%) “aged out” of foster care at 18 or older, and 159 (0.8%) left for other reasons (ran away, transferred, died).  [This information is from federal AFCARS data, 2005].  Unfortunately, hundreds of youth who enter foster care fall through the cracks.  Because they are not prepared for the world outside of foster care, too many become pregnant, incarcerated, or homeless.  When young people  age out of foster care they are quickly confronted with the harsh realities of life on their own. The decisions they face everyday – how to pay the bills, pay for college, or determine where to live are difficult, and must be answered without the guidance or support of a loving family.

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.  There are 29,312 children in foster care in the state of Florida, 25.8% are between the ages of 13 and 21.  In 2005, 20,539 children exit foster care.  1,344 (6.5%) “aged-out” of foster care at 18 or older, and 159 (0.8%) left for other reasons (ran away, transferred, died).  [This information is from federal AFCARS data, 2005].  Unfortunately, hundreds of youth who enter foster care fall through the cracks.  Because they are not prepared for the world outside of foster care, too many become pregnant, incarcerated, or homeless.  When young people age out of foster care they are quickly confronted with the harsh realities of life on their own. The decisions they face everyday – how to pay the bills, pay for college, or determine where to live are difficult, and must be answered without the guidance or support of a loving family.

According to the Casey Family Programs National Center for Resource Family Support, a recent study found that 12-18 months after leaving foster care: 27% of the males and 10% of the females had been incarcerated, 33% were receiving public assistance, 37% had not finished high school, 50% were unemployed.  Children in foster care are three to six times more likely than children not in care to have emotional, behavioral and developmental problems, including conduct disorders, depression, difficulties in school and impaired social relationships. Some experts estimate that about 30% of the children in care have marked or severe emotional problems. Various studies have indicated that children and young people in foster care tend to have limited education and job skills, perform poorly in school compared to children who are not in foster care, lag behind in their education by at least one year, and have lower educational attainment than the general population.
Here is the breakdown down by the needs of this target audience:

Homelessness: Many youth who aged out of foster care report being homeless at some point in time after discharge. Approximately 14% of males and 10% of females report being homeless at least once since their discharge from foster care services (Courtney, Piliavin, Grogan-Kaylor, & Nesmith, 2001).

Employment & Job Training: Due to limited work histories and/or lackluster job training, many former foster children will face difficulty finding employment.

Substance Use & Abuse: Substance use in former foster care youth is high (Wertheimer, 2002), often higher than that found in their peers who have no foster care history (Lenz-Rashid, 2004).

Health & Well-being: Many youth upon leaving foster care face additional issues in relation to their physical and mental health – including unexpected pregnancies. Mental health issues such as depression, mental illness, and anxiety are high and put these youth at more risk for negative outcomes once out of the system (Lopez & Allen, 2007).

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
A typical independent living service program would be used to assist youth to make the transition to self-sufficiency, to receive education, training and services; to obtain employment; to prepare for and enter post secondary training and educational institutes; to provide personal and emotional support to youth through mentors and promotion of interactions with dedicated adults; and to provide financial, housing, counseling, employment, education, other appropriate support and services to current and former foster care recipients up to the age of 25.

Acting as a post-Foster Care Transition Program, Raze the Roof Ministries will provide resources that includes, but is not limited to, the following services for these young people:
Transitional/Permanent Housing

Programs include:

• Financial literacy (balancing a checkbook to budgeting and money management)
• Nutrition Education (being able to read food labels) food/diet, food safety
• Health-care Education – disease prevention, reproductive information
• Parenting Education
• Career Placement and Job Training
• Education Programs and post-secondary options
• Health-care Assessment (depression and stress management)