Increased age limit to 21 improves odds for at-risk children

By Brian Leubitz

During her tenure in the Assembly, Karen Bass made improving foster care a focus.  The biggest piece of this effort is likely AB 12:

Beginning January 1, 2012, the California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB 12) takes effects, raising the age limit for foster care over three years from 18 to 21. During that time, kids in foster care will get financial assistance with housing – including college dorms, group homes, foster homes, shared housing and transitional housing – and have access to job skills and life skills classes, mental health counseling, advice on college or vocational education, and a host of other programs designed to help them become self-sufficient. (Silicon Valley Education Foundations)

Click through to read the compelling story of one young adult in foster care, but from a general perspective, this makes a lot of sense.  I couldn’t imagine being completely on my own when I was 18, and to expect anything but disastrous results from just releasing at-risk 18 year olds to the rather cruel world seems naive at best.

Of course, the big concern is that we don’t continue the support for these young adults.  With the recent wave of budget cuts and the likely additional cuts when that $4b doesn’t show up, a defunding could recreate the risk all over again.