Youth After Foster Care Statistics (Shocking numbers!!)

Housing & Homelessness According to a national survey, 25% of foster youth reported that they had been homeless at least one night within 2.5 to 4 years after exiting foster care. 1 34% of foster youth in Wisconsin had been homeless or lived in four or more places within 12 to 18 months after exiting the foster care system. 2 25-40% of youth who become homeless each year identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). 3 3 in 10 of the nation's homeless adults report foster care history. 4 36% of former foster youth in Clark County, Nevada reported there were times when they did not have a place to live. 5 Education 54% of former foster youth completed high school according to a national survey. 6 At 12 to 18 months post-discharge, 55% of former foster youth in Wisconsin had completed high school. 7 50% of youth in Clark County, Nevada left foster care without a high school degree. 8 70% of former foster youth expressed the desire to attend college. 9 Employment 38% of former foster youth maintained employment for one year. 10 50% of former foster youth in Wisconsin were employed 12 to 18 months post-discharge. 11 63% of former foster youth in Clark County, Nevada were employed when interviewed with an average hourly wage of $7.25. 12 Incarceration In Wisconsin, 18% of former foster youth experienced incarceration post-discharge. 13 41% of former foster youth in Clark County, Nevada reported spending at least one night in jail. 14 Early Parenthood 60% of young women had children 2.5 to 4 years post-discharge. 15 38% of former foster youth in Clark County, Nevada has children. 16 Health 47% of former foster youth in Wisconsin received mental health services while in foster care. 17 44% of former foster youth in Wisconsin reported difficulty accessing health and mental health services. 18 55% of former foster youth in Clark County, Nevada reported no type of health insurance post-discharge. 19 Cook, R. (1991). A national evaluation of title IV-E foster care independent living programs for youth. Rockville, MD: Westat, Inc. back Courtney M., and Piliavin, I. (1998). Foster youth transitions to adulthood: Outcomes 12 to 18 months after leaving out-of-home care. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin. back Kruks G. Gay and lesbian homeless/street youth: special issues and concerns. J Adolescent Health. 1991;12:515-518. back Roman, N.P. & Wolfe, N. (1995). Web of failure: The relationship between foster care and homelessness. Washington, DC: National Alliance to End Homelessness. back Reilly, T. (2003). Transitions from care: status and outcomes of youth who age out of foster care. Child Welfare, 82, 727-746. back Cook, R. (1991). back Courtney, M., & Piliavin, I. (1998). back Reilly, T. (2003). back McMillen, C., Auslander, W., Elze, D., White, T. & Thompson, R. (2003). Educational experiences and aspirations of older youth in foster care. Child Welfare, 82, 475-495. back Cook, R. (1991). back Courtney, M., and Piliavin, I. (1998). back Reilly, T. (2003). back Courtney, M., & Piliavin, I. (1998). back Reilly, T. (2003). back Cook, R. (1991). back Reilly, T. (2003). back Courtney, M., & Piliavin, I. (1998). back Ibid. back Reilly, T. (2003)