Academic Success for Foster Youth

The educational journey of foster care youth is fraught with challenges that significantly impact their high school completion rates. This study delves into the high school completion rates of foster care youth in Louisiana, comparing them with states that extend foster care support to age 21. The findings reveal that extending foster care support to age 21 can dramatically improve high school completion rates, ultimately benefiting both the youth and taxpayers by reducing societal costs associated with high dropout rates.

Importance of Extended Support

Foster care youth face unique challenges that hinder their educational achievements, including frequent school changes and lack of stable support systems.

Many states have recognized these challenges and extended foster care support to age 21, aligning with federal reimbursement opportunities. However, some states, such as Louisiana, have yet to fully embrace this option. Without this extension, foster care youth often struggle to meet basic needs like shelter, food, and guidance, leading to lower high school completion rates.

Illinois serves as a model for the benefits of extended support. Initiatives in Illinois have demonstrated that extending foster care to age 21 significantly improves high school completion rates. This success story is backed by the "Midwest Study," which compared outcomes in Illinois with those in states that did not extend support. The study found that foster youth in Illinois were much more likely to pursue post-secondary education, indicating a positive correlation between extended support and educational success.

Economic and Social Implications

The economic implications of extending foster care are profound. Studies, such as those conducted by Clark M. Peters and colleagues, have shown that the cost to the government of extending care to 21 is less than the costs incurred when youth age out at 18. These costs include increased rates of homelessness, unemployment, and reliance on public assistance. Furthermore, high school dropouts have a broader societal impact, contributing to higher crime rates and reduced economic productivity.

Louisiana's reluctance to fully fund extended care is a short-sighted approach that fails to account for long-term savings and societal benefits. Without adequate support, foster care youth are at a higher risk of becoming involved in criminal activities or substance abuse as they struggle to survive without a safety net. Extending foster care to age 21 can mitigate these risks and provide a more secure transition to adulthood, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.

Policy Recommendations

Policy recommendations emphasize the necessity of extending foster care support to age 21 across all states, including Louisiana. The Task Force on Extending Foster Care to 21 in Louisiana has highlighted the potential benefits, such as reducing homelessness, increasing high school graduation rates, and improving employment opportunities for foster care youth. These benefits underscore the importance of continued advocacy and legislative efforts to secure the necessary funding and support for extended foster care programs.

Implementing these policies requires collaboration between state governments, federal agencies, and foster care advocacy groups. By leveraging available federal funds and reallocating state resources, Louisiana can enhance its foster care system and provide youth with the support they need to succeed. This collaborative approach will not only improve outcomes for foster care youth but also generate long-term savings for taxpayers and contribute to a more educated and prosperous society.

Conclusion

The evidence is clear: extending foster care support to age 21 yields significant benefits for both foster care youth and society. By investing in the education and well-being of these young individuals, states can reduce the societal costs associated with high school dropouts and improve overall quality of life. Louisiana, in particular, stands to gain from adopting policies that prioritize extended support, ultimately fostering a brighter future for its foster care youth and the community at large.

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