The Daily Delegate

When foster youth are no longer under the protection of the foster care system at age 18, many of them are unable to find a job or a home. Unlike the youth in the United States who have parents and someone to support them, foster youth that age out of the system are left with little to no support from an adult. They don’t have anyone to teach them about job applications, taxes, how to buy a house, pay rent or any other adult life skills that aren’t taught in school. Not having parents or permanent care givers, puts foster youth at a disadvantage from other kids.

Only about 50% of foster youth graduate high school, 10% go to college and 3% obtain a college degree. This leaves most foster youth without a useful education which makes it difficult for them to get a stable job, and therefore, a stable income. Now, many foster youth who leave the system end up in prison, develop substance abuse, or live on the streets. The reason for this is that they don’t have anyone to support and educate them once they become an adult.  We need a bill that ensures that every foster youth has someone that is dedicated to supporting them which will allow every foster youth to get a stable job and income.

This bill will ensure that every foster youth has a case worker that is focused on supporting them, from ages 15 to 18. Case workers will provide financial and emotional support for foster youth, as well as guidance for applying for jobs. They will also educate youth on many adult responsibilities, such as paying taxes. Current case workers in California are of low quality because they are overworked, which provides insignificant resources and support for foster youth. The current ratio for case workers to clients is about 1 case worker for 24 to 31 kids. This bill proposes a 1 to 15 ratio between caseworkers and foster youth. The current case workers aren’t able to give as much support to the youth, because they are responsible for more people than they have time for, causing stress and burnout.

Additionally, there needs to be case workers for foster youth over the age of 18. Having a caseworker for foster kids ages 15 to 25 would encourage youth to stay in school and then find a job. There are many counselors and foster care workers that support youth until they turn 18, but they need someone to support them as they become an adult with adult responsibilities. This bill would hire more caseworkers for foster youth which would give them all the opportunity to be successful. Every child deserves a brighter future, and this bill would give them that.