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  1. Youth Briefs
  2. Young Adults Formerly in Foster Care: Challenges and Solutions
  3. Young Adults Formerly in Foster Care: Challenges and Solutions

Young Adults Formerly in Foster Care: Challenges and Solutions

Conclusion

Young adults exiting foster care need emotional support as they navigate the transition to independent adulthood. Without the social and emotional skills to manage the stresses of emerging adulthood, youth often struggle to maximize the housing, education, and employment resources that are available to them. Adult mentors who stay connected with foster care youth as they transition to adulthood provide the emotional supports necessary for youth to achieve positive adult outcomes. Mentorships formed through informal connections (within the youth’s life) or through formal programs will increase the likelihood of successful transitions to adulthood.1 Lifelong connections with positive adults are critical to success as youth begin to make decisions that affect their future.

1 Ahrens et al., 2008