EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
CONNECTION HOUSE
One of the most
serious and tragic situations in America’s social service system today is that of emancipated foster youth----foster
children who are deemed self-sufficient adults the day they turn 18 years of age. At that point in time, they can be turned
out on the streets with few resources for survival.
These children,
who are the victims of abuse, neglect or abandonment, enter the system when the Department of Children’s Services removes
them from their families and places them in foster care. Though every effort
is made to reunite the child with their parent(s) or a family member, many times reunification is not possible. For those children, the foster care system is the only family they have.
The United States Department of Health and Human Services estimates that 520,000 children are in foster care nationwide. California has more than 100,000 children in care. The system provides for the needs of these children until they reach 18 years (or older if they are
in the last year of high school) of age. At that point, they are considered to
have reached the age of majority and they “age out” or emancipate from the only support system they have known.
The Orangewood Children’s Foundation (OCF) estimates that 250 –
300 youth “age out” of the system annually in Orange
County. Some youth reunite
with biological parents, obtain scholarships to universities, or remain with foster parents, but more than 40% emancipate
with no financial or social support system.
OCF studies estimate that less than half of all emancipated foster youth in Orange County were able to make arrangements
for housing upon exiting foster care. InfoLink
Orange County 2005 Homeless Needs Assessment reported that 150 emancipated youth experience homelessness annually,
while only 41 beds are available county wide.
Of those who did
have a place to live, 20% lost that living situation within one year. Without
housing support, 40% of all foster children nationwide will become homeless within 12 months of their 18th birthday.
ChildsWorld emphasizes how critical it is to provide this stability and support at the time youth exit foster
care: “It is key to breaking the cycle of poverty, homelessness, substance
abuse and criminal activity”.
Sadly, foster care
does not prepare most children to emancipate into self sufficiency and total independence.
Child Trends published a study in 2002 that found only 48% of all emancipated
youths had graduated from high school and therefore, they had poor prospects for any meaningful employment. Most need remediation, further education and/or vocational training if they are to become self-reliant
adults.
For these youth
the coming of age can be very frightening and is often seen as an eviction. Indeed,
it can be the beginning of a downward spiral into homelessness, welfare or incarceration.
Transitional housing is a critical need for these youth.
Transitional housing
is “the” pivotal component for youth emancipating from care. With
stable housing, youth have the opportunity to further their education/training and create secure lives for themselves.
Indeed, the State
of California affords all former foster youth this opportunity
to continue their education. California law mandates that foster youth can attend any California
Community College with a full tuition waiver and OCF supports the cost of books, labs, tools, etc. for former foster youth.
The Community College Foundation (CCF) administers programs for emancipated youth on the campuses of forty-nine community
colleges in California.
Yet, only 11% of foster care youth go on to college.
Not only can youth
attend college, the CCF has developed a specific curriculum with seven components for life skills training for former foster
youth. Those who participate in CCF courses also have access to all the services
offered on community college campuses, such as computer labs, libraries, recreational facilities, counseling, and the experience
of being part of a college environment.
Additionally, and
notably, youth who have successfully completed their AA Degree and wish to complete a four year college degree, can obtain
continuing support through the Orangewood Children’s Foundation Guardian
Scholars program. If academically qualified, they can attend UCI, CSUF or Chapman College with
full housing, tuition, and other financial support.
Why do so few take
advantage of this opportunity? The high cost of housing is a major factor. An
18 year old youth, without any social or familial support, who must maintain their own household while attending school can
easily feel overwhelmed. To many youth, it is perceived as a Herculean Task,
beyond their capabilities. Connection House relieves youth of the burden of
supporting a household and allows them to concentrate their time and energy on furthering their education.
In addition to providing connections to specific programs, Connection House models real world situations at all possible times in order to foster the independence
and life skills necessary for success when its residents leave the program. This
is enhanced with links to the community wherein the young person’s home is located such as participation in community
organizations and events, and exposure to societal and cultural events they might not otherwise experience.
Transitional housing
- designed to connect emancipating youth to programs, community and ultimately society is imperative if we are going to create
the opportunity for them to have a better quality of life and become productive citizens.
Connection House is an effort to address a pivotal portion of the foster
care system – the transition from child to adult.
A young person
at the doorway to adulthood needs not only a safe, secure and supervised home base, but also connections to the adult world.
Connection House is that system of support
providing a sense of community.
