Question 1

When a foster child turns 18, they can no longer receive assistance from the child welfare system

Accepted Answer

Many jurisdictions have extended foster care services and support beyond the age of 18, often up to 21 or even 23, to help young adults transition to independence.

Question 2

Which of the following are programs available to support youth aging out of foster care in various jurisdictions:&#10;A) Educational support&#10;B) Mentoring&#10;C) Cash assistance&#10;D) Housing assistance&#10;E) All of the above&#10;

Accepted Answer

Programs available to support youth aging out of foster care in various jurisdictions often include a range of services designed to help these young adults transition to independent living. These services typically encompass:
a. Educational support: This can include tuition assistance, help with applying for college or vocational training, and access to educational resources.
b. Mentoring: Many programs offer mentoring services where experienced adults provide guidance, support, and advice to foster youth to help them navigate adulthood.
c. Cash assistance: Some programs provide financial support to help with living expenses, such as food, clothing, and transportation.
d. Housing assistance: Given that housing stability is a significant concern for youth aging out of foster care, many programs offer housing support, which can include help with finding and paying for housing, as well as support for living independently.
These programs are designed to provide a safety net for these young adults as they transition out of the foster care system and can be critical in helping them achieve stability and success in their adult lives.

Question 3

Older youth in foster care have less complex issues to address than younger children in foster care.

Accepted Answer

Older youth in foster care often face more complex issues due to longer exposure to trauma, challenges in forming stable attachments, and the impending transition to independence without the traditional family support systems.

Question 4

Youth who choose to remain in foster care after they turn 18 years old, experience better outcomes than youth who choose not to receive additional assistance from the child welfare system after attaining the age of majority

Accepted Answer

Youth who remain in foster care after turning 18 often have access to additional support and resources that can help them transition to adulthood more successfully. This includes educational opportunities, housing assistance, and continued guidance from social workers, which can lead to better outcomes in terms of education, employment, and mental health.

Question 5

Which of the following federal policies DOES NOT focus on meeting the needs of youth aging out of foster care:&#10;A) Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008&#10;B) Adoption and Safe Families Act&#10;C) Family First Prevention Services Act&#10;D) John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Act

Accepted Answer

The Adoption and Safe Families Act primarily focuses on child welfare, safety, and expediting adoptions, rather than specifically addressing the needs of youth aging out of foster care. The other acts mentioned directly aim to support these youth in various ways, such as through increased connections to family, support for independence, and prevention services.

Deck 15: Aging Out