In 2011, Statistics Canada reported that in Alberta, 5,500 children were in foster care, 1,145 of these children were aged 14-19 (Statistics Canada, 2011). Once these young persons reach the age of 18 they age out of the foster care system. Aging out of the system refers to the transition out of the foster care system when they reach the legal age at which the majority of other youth leave their homes in pursuance of independent living (Lee & Berrick, 2014, p.78). However, not only do the circumstances and levels of readiness vary between youth from stable families and youth in the foster-care system, they are also very different in their future opportunities and their means and resources they have to pursue them. Transitioning into adulthood
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A group that addresses these needs is advantageous in reducing the persisting systemic issues that prove to be obstacles in the way of foster youth’s journey towards self-efficacy. Brown, Courtney, and McMillen (2015) found that “behavioural health needs among young people aging-out of foster care remain high upon exiting care” (p. 167), and that “youth benefit from positive interpersonal relationships with family, peers, and/or community members which lead to more encouraging outcomes…” (Graham et al., 2015, p. 76; Collins et al., 2010; Hass & Graydon, 2009; Kelin, 2012; Pecora, 2012). Positive, recurring and encouraging social and community connections provide a positive model for foster youth aging out of the system. While some foster youth aging out have managed to build positive bonds with adults, many remain disengaged from any type of social support and find themselves very isolated in terms of connections with others (Abrams & Curry, 2014). A significant amount of youth interviewed in a study expressed the fear of being “shot down” if they asked for assistance from others and external resources (Abrams & Curry, 2014), a fear that would be eased in a safe group environment, where trust has been established and positive guided support is implemented. The challenges faced by foster youth aging out of the system in present society mark a cycle of vulnerability and classification of being high-risk to continued exposure in terms of lack of opportunities and access to resources. Implementation of social supports and services to combat this issue is necessary if we are to achieve a more just and balanced
A group that addresses these needs is advantageous in reducing the persisting systemic issues that prove to be obstacles in the way of foster youth’s journey towards self-efficacy. Brown, Courtney, and McMillen (2015) found that “behavioural health needs among young people aging-out of foster care remain high upon exiting care” (p. 167), and that “youth benefit from positive interpersonal relationships with family, peers, and/or community members which lead to more encouraging outcomes…” (Graham et al., 2015, p. 76; Collins et al., 2010; Hass & Graydon, 2009; Kelin, 2012; Pecora, 2012). Positive, recurring and encouraging social and community connections provide a positive model for foster youth aging out of the system. While some foster youth aging out have managed to build positive bonds with adults, many remain disengaged from any type of social support and find themselves very isolated in terms of connections with others (Abrams & Curry, 2014). A significant amount of youth interviewed in a study expressed the fear of being “shot down” if they asked for assistance from others and external resources (Abrams & Curry, 2014), a fear that would be eased in a safe group environment, where trust has been established and positive guided support is implemented. The challenges faced by foster youth aging out of the system in present society mark a cycle of vulnerability and classification of being high-risk to continued exposure in terms of lack of opportunities and access to resources. Implementation of social supports and services to combat this issue is necessary if we are to achieve a more just and balanced