The Voice of Georgia’s Foster Youth

There are well over 500,000 children in foster care in the United States. In Georgia, there are 14,000 youth in custody and nearly 4,000 between the ages of 14-21. Each year in the U.S. approximately 20,000 youth in foster care reach the age of 18 and emancipate from the foster care system. In Georgia approximately 400 youth age out, many without the basic support, family network, community connections, jobs, housing, health insurance and other resources needed to become self-sufficient responsible adults.

Research shows that nationally approximately:

• 46% of emancipating youth lack a high school diploma
• 25% have been homeless
• 35% have been diagnosed with emotional problems and
• 42% have become teen parents

We, the foster youth, believe that transitioning youth in Georgia deserve and can do better.

We believe our voice and our input can inform the discussion about what we need in Georgia. We have convened and engaged more than 300 current and former foster youth in Georgia to develop the list of EmpowerMEnt priorities.

Representing a wide mix of age, race, sex, parental status, geography and foster care placements, we shared ideas to come up with a unified list of EmpowerMEnt priorities. They were compiled by us to share our experiences and recommendations.

Our hope is that child welfare administrators and workers, foster parents, group home workers, child advocates and attorneys, the business and faith community, other youth in and formerly in foster care and other community members will hear our voices and join us in advocating for positive changes in the foster care system in Georgia.

Summary of EmpowerMEnt Priorities

• Medicaid benefits for foster youth should continue beyond age 18 to age 21.
• Foster youth need more support to obtain a driver’s license.
• Foster youth need a stable school experience.
• Foster youth need a stronger relationship with their case manager.
• Foster youth need a network of caring, consistent and permanent relationships.
• Youth who become parents while in foster care should remain with our child(ren).