Youth aging out of foster care face many unique challenges that youth in more traditional or stable environments don’t, making it more difficult for them to receive academic support, continue their education and build a successful future. According to data gathered by KVC, only 55% of youth aging out of foster care graduated in 2020, with only 3% going on to earn a postsecondary degree.

Education plays a critical role in helping these young individuals break the cycle and build a better future for themselves, which is why KVC Nebraska offers a wide range of resources aimed at assisting youth with their education, from our Fostering Educational Success (FES) program to the many therapy and foster care support services we provide. Explore how Fostering Educational Success is changing lives, and why this program sets students up to experience success post-foster care.

The Challenges Youth Face After Aging Out of Foster Care

Youth both in the foster care system and those who are aging out experience a significant lack of stability. They tend to struggle with housing, finding financial resources, balancing education with employment and many emotional and psychological barriers that make focusing on education difficult.

Academic Gaps

Emily Kunkle, MSW Clinical and Prevention Services Supervisor

Instability affects youth in foster care before they reach the transitional point of aging out. “On average, they have about three home placements and three school placements when they are in foster care,” explains Emily Kunkle, who supervises the FES program. “With every school placement or disruption, they fall half a grade to a full grade behind academically.”

Why are these gaps so significant? This lost academic time can be due to many factors, including school districts using different curriculum and textbooks, a lack of necessary evaluations and the instability that makes it a challenge for these students to adjust each time they switch schools and foster homes. Kunkle also points out that three homes and three schools are the average; many youth in foster care experience even more than that.

Limited Resources

Youth in foster care often lack the resources that are essential for success in postsecondary education or even trade schools. Young people in foster care don’t always have a supportive adult or mentor who can help them access and apply for what they need. This can include support navigating FAFSA and scholarships, but can also extend to believing they are even capable of going to college. Youth aging out of foster care may also feel pressured to begin working right away so they can support themselves, making it feel like higher education isn’t an option for them.

Emotional and Psychological Barriers

Young adults who have aged out of foster care often carry with them a lot of unresolved trauma and feelings of isolation. This makes it even harder to enter adulthood. “It’s transitional for anyone,” says Kunkle, “and then when you add trauma to it and all of the changes and things that youth in foster care have experienced, it can be a very difficult time if you don’t have that strong support system.”

The Importance of Education for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care

Education is a game-changer for youth aging out of foster care! A young adult who acquires a high school diploma rather than opting for a GED has significantly greater career opportunities, increasing the likelihood of financial stability and overall success. For youth who complete a postsecondary degree, the opportunities are even greater. These career opportunities and the financial stability they provide help young adults to build a path to independence by giving them the skills, knowledge and qualifications they need for a stable and fulfilling life.

Education is about more than just career options and financial stability. It also empowers social and emotional growth by giving youth a sense of connection and belonging within their school. Youth who feel connected to and supported by their teachers and peers at school are statistically shown to have lower risks of mental health challenges, substance use and other risk behaviors and experiences. These improved outcomes (personally, socially and academically) are what help youth in foster care to break generational cycles of poverty and neglect, creating a positive impact on their lives and the broader community.

Support Services for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care in Nebraska

At KVC Nebraska, we work closely with youth in foster care as well as their families to work toward educational success and future stability. Our Fostering Educational Success (FES) program was developed to explore ways we can empower youth, both in foster care and those aging out, to feel confident and supported academically. The goal of this randomized control trial is to eventually create an evidence-based program that will enable us to continue supporting these youth and families once the FES study is completed.

Here is how the FES program and other KVC services support youth aging out of foster care in Nebraska:

Three-Point Approach to Educational Support

The FES program uses a three-pronged approach to educational support

• School Connectedness
• Family Cohesion
• And Academic Engagement

School Connectedness focuses on education in school, from advocating and tutoring to identifying students who may be at risk of dropping out. We use a modified version of the drop-out prevention program Check and Connect to review attendance, behaviors and grades and implement interventions as needed. We also help students enroll in extracurricular activities, find employment and prepare applications for postsecondary education.

Family Cohesion incorporates the evidence-based Strengthening Families Program to create that foundation of communication, problem-solving skills, decision-making and support for families in the foster care system. We coach families on how to advocate for and support youth with getting services in place, educational rights, knowing what evaluations to request and more.

Academic Engagement addresses academics in the home, helping youth to establish good homework routines and teaching families to instill education as a value in their youth.

Financial Assistance

Many young people aging out of foster care do not have a lot of financial resources to support them in pursuing their educational goals. Even at a high school level, youth may need to pay for sports fees, textbooks and basic school supplies. These costs get even higher as youth go on to postsecondary education or trade schools, as they now have to cover their housing and meals, plus pay for tuition at their institution of choice. KVC Nebraska offers resources to help financially as well as coaching on how to find and apply for scholarships, grants and FAFSA to fund their continued education.

Life Skills Training

In addition to direct academic support, KVC Nebraska offers various services that provide life skills training to help prepare youth aging out of foster care to live independently. Kunkle describes life skills as being the focal point of many of KVC’s services. “We want them to be successful and competent and feel empowered when they discharge from our services,” says Kunkle, and that means having confidence in essential life skills like financial literacy, time management and goal setting.

How You Can Help Youth Aging Out of Foster Care Succeed

Youth aging out of foster care are fully capable of having academic success and achieving a brighter future, but support is the key. KVC Nebraska works hard to provide comprehensive support for youth in foster care and those aging out, but community involvement is essential to making all of this possible.

If you are a community member interested in aiding youth aging out of foster care, there are many ways you can help:

Volunteering

KVC Nebraska has many volunteer opportunities at events for the families we serve. These are often posted on our website or social media for those who want to help but are not able to commit to being a foster parent. You can also volunteer to tutor or mentor youth aging out of foster care through programs like Mentor Nebraska!

Donating

Donations to KVC Nebraska and other academic support resources can help fund scholarships, provide academic supplies and help youth aging out of foster care to acquire the other resources they need for success. KVC Nebraska greatly appreciates monetary donations as well as in-kind giving of personal hygiene items, school supplies and more to directly provide what youth in our services need.

Raising Awareness

A vital component of supporting youth aging out of foster care is increasing awareness around the challenges they face! You can help spread awareness by sharing this blog and others that outline the realities that youth in foster care face and advocate for systemic changes that can help ensure their educational success.

Whether through volunteering, donating or simply being an advocate for these youth, everyone has a role to play in helping these young individuals succeed!