New York State is home to approximately 20,000 young people living in foster care. In 2012, there were about 4,000 youth either in the system or recently exited who were of college age. Youth that age out of the foster care often do so without the basic tools they need in order to transition to adulthood successfully. They are face enormous challenges in...
HOUSING
- 31% are homeless or couch surf immediately after leaving foster care
- 25% are homeless four or more times by the age of 26
EMPLOYMENT
- 50% are unemployed at the age of 24
- The average income of those who aged out of the system between ages 25-28 is just $15,000.
HEALTH
- 25% experience Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), double the rate for U.S. war veterans
- 16 times more likely to be diagnosed with a mental illness
- eight times more likely to take psychotropic medication.
- teenage girls are twice as likely to become pregnant
EDUCATION
- 50% will not receive a high school or equivalency diploma by the time they age out of foster care
- just 18-24% will attend a post-secondary institution or vocational training program
- nationwide, 2-7% will ever receive a two-year or four-year degree