Utah’s foster care system faces a critical challenge — helping youth successfully transition into adulthood. Every year, hundreds of young people age out of foster care at 18 without the necessary support, and this leaves them vulnerable. Research shows that within a few years of aging out, nearly 25% of these youth experience homelessness, while only half find stable employment. We cannot allow our most vulnerable children to face such tragic futures.
The problem arises from insufficient transitional services, but there are solutions. Extending Title IV-E benefits to youth up to age 23 would provide more time for them to gain stability, whether through education or employment. Other states have adopted similar policies with great success, showing reductions in homelessness and increased graduation rates for former foster youth. Also, further developing comprehensive transitional programs that teach financial literacy and job skills and provide mental health support can make a meaningful difference in the outcomes for these young adults.
As a community, we need to act. I urge Utah’s policymakers to prioritize expanding foster care transition services and implementing evidence-based solutions that will give these youth a fair chance at a stable future. We owe it to them to ensure they don’t just survive but also thrive.
Erica Andino, Salt Lake City
