What happens to foster kids when they turn 18?
A couple of years ago, i read that when foster children turn 18 they have no where to go. It didn't matter if they were still in school or working or whatever, at 18 they had to leave the foster home. I've thought on this for a long time and wonder what happens to these young adults? Is there any place they can go and live and find the support they need to finish their education and get a good strong foundation for their life? I'm sure many of them do finish their education and go on with their life. I guess I'm really just interested in learning more about foster children and possibly becoming a foster parent in the near future. I even have ideas of one day opening a home for unwanted foster children and possibly providing a home environment so they can continue their education without the extra hardships. Drop me a line if you have any info you feel might be useful. Thanks.
I read a wonderful book entitled She Never Answered! It is a true story written by a guy named Cedric Mckenzie. He was a foster child and he shares the story of growing up infoster care and what happened to him at the age of
ReplyDeleteIf MY grandsons turn up - please ask them to contact ME. They HAVE a home and a loving grandmother.
ReplyDeleteThey are currently 11, 8 and 6 years old. I hope I live long enough to be here for them - when I HOPE they come looking for me... after they can legally leave their state mandated kidnapped status ...
It is CRIMINAL what this agency does to families....
in the case of MICHAEL JACKSON - the state claims it would not put those children with a stranger because of the trauma that would happen to the children ("stranger" would be their mother, who gave up rights for millions of $$$ back in 2000 - state claims those children don't know her ...)
yet - strange double standard ... state in Oregon - prefers to put MY grandsons with paid strangers - rather than any family .... apparently this "trauma" only occurs when the state says so -- since in the case of MY grandsons - the state apparently feels there would be NO trauma to the children - by being placed with strangers . . . .
I have met several foster children who returned to their parents when reaching age 16 or 18. Proposals to extend foster care beyond age 18 will have the harmful effect of preventing teens who still have a family from returning.
ReplyDeleteRobert T McQuaid
Mattawa Ontario Canada
i grew up in foster care 5-21..it is hard with no family..if you find a counselor that likes you, you can gget help, if your not "popular" good luck..i was homeless 2x..i later graduated from NYU and traveled Europe as a model, but many are not so lucky, it would be nice to have a place to go for holidays etc.. i now have my kids but it was hard when i was alone, i had GOOD friends who became family. i am writing a book on surviving foster care pls visit my site tanya_onthetown.blogspot.com/ also known as fosterkidsunite...i try to encourage. Tanya
ReplyDeleteI grew up in foster care since the age of 2. I am now 21 & I aged out on my 21st birthday. In my state when your in foster care & you turn turn thats when the state cuts of EVERYTHING. Luckily for me when I turned 18 my social worker put me in an independent living program to learn how to survive on my own & they got me my own apt & gave me stipends every month. It was extremely hard & still IS. Im learning though but I do understand how hard it is for other foster kids. Right now I'm working on how to get started on a network on how to connect foster children all over the country to share experiences & help each other....& one day I will do foster care.
ReplyDeleteI am deeply touched by your stories. They are also inspiring. I am starting a non-profit organization to help transitioning teens get out of the foster system and into their destinies. It is called Institute Hope. I would love feed back as to what needs you didn't have met and what you would have loved to have seen in a program that was their to assist you. Thanks so much for your input!
ReplyDeletehello,I lost my 2 kids to dcf when they where 2 and 3 and i did everthing to get them back but they toke my rights away and put them up for adopten and i want to find them because they are 18 years old now and i want to find them and i don't now what to do to find them,vermont dcf is the only ones that now and they want tell me anything or help me find them.
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