The Foster Care Independence Act

Former foster youths are not prepared adequately for self–sufficiency upon aging out of foster care. Even though the average youth in the United States is not expected to reach self-sufficiency until age 26, youth who aged out of the foster care must care for themselves at age 18.

These youth will continue to need help and guidance, and this is why the Foster Care Independence Act was enacted on December 14, 1999. The Act aims to help youth who aged out of foster care in obtaining and maintaining independent living skills by providing services such as assistance in obtaining a high school diploma, post-secondary education, housing, career exploration, vocational training, job placement and retention, training in daily living skills, training in budgeting and financial management skills, substance abuse prevention education, and education in preventive health activities including smoking prevention, nutrition education, and pregnancy prevention.

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