A Vulnerable Population
Approximately 26,000 young people — many just 18 years old — age out of the American foster care system each year and are left on their own.
This report offers policymakers a clear and compelling case for supporting foster care youth beyond age 18. It analyzes the outcomes of former foster care youth in 3 states to estimate the costs — and lifelong benefits — of extending the foster care finish line in America.
The estimated cost of extending foster care is significant: $38,000 per youth. But this initial investment is worth it — and boosts an individual’s career earnings by $72,000, say experts. This means that every $1 spent yields almost $2 in return for each young adult in extended care.