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Enhancing Permanency for Older Youth in Out-Of-Home Care
Series: Bulletins for Professionals |
Author(s):
Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Year Published: 2006 |
Finding permanent families for older children and youth in out-of-home care continues to need a strong focus from foster care workers and other child welfare professionals. National statistics show that older children stay in foster care longer and achieve permanency at lower rates than younger children. Those youth who "age out" of the foster care system often leave with few skills, minimal education, and inadequate preparation for living as productive, independent adults.
Responding to the challenge, many States and local jurisdictions have begun to focus on this population, implementing programs specifically designed to help older youth establish permanent connections. Many of these programs help youth build on relationships they have established throughout their lives with kin, foster parents, teachers, social workers, and others; other programs help youth establish new relationships that can lead to permanent family connections.
This bulletin addresses the specific challenges of permanency planning with older youth, highlighting successful models and activities.
Table of Contents
1 - The Importance of Focusing on Older Youth
2 - Barriers to Permanency for Older Youth
3 - Strategies for Permanency Planning with Youth
Suggested Citation: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2006). Enhancing permanency for older youth in out-of-home care. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.