Problems Encountered By Young Adults Leaving Foster System

Problems Encountered By Young Adults Leaving Foster System

Background and significance of the topic

Foster care is a system through which minors are placed in a community, group, or home care center, with the caregiver commonly referred to as the foster-parent. The arrangement of foster care is arranged either by the government or by a social group. The state and the social group undertake the necessary legal actions, whereas the foster-parent provides the day to daycare to the child. The introduction of foster care was cited as a solution to the prevalent neglect of children, but in recent years, the adverse effects have outweighed the benefits.

Research question

1. What are some of the challenges and problems affecting youths leaving foster care?

Over 19,000 youths aged between 18 years and 21 years come out of foster care each year without finding a place to call home. Rice (2019) revealed that close to 30% of all youths who come out of foster care would be homeless after the first year, while close to 50% of the rest will be homeless five years after coming out of the foster care. Rosenberg & Kim (2017) further unraveled that only 5% of youths not in foster care experienced homelessness. The trend of homelessness amongst youths leaving foster care has continued to exacerbate in recent years despite the federal government spending over $ 300 million in grants to help these youths. The above fact has led to a burgeoning problem in the community, and the economy has also suffered significantly from a loss in productive youths.

Significance of the topic

This topic is significant as it aims to provide a solution to the problems facing young adults leaving foster care and especially regarding the issue of homelessness. The essence of conducting this research was heightened by the rising cases of neglect of youths leaving foster care.  The fact that these youths form the largest bulk of people who are homeless and those without access to proper healthcare implies that this is a problem that requires urgent attention. The fact that the intentions or objectives for the creation of foster care systems have never been met is an indication that there is a need to rethink this system, including how it works and how it can achieve the intended objectives. Also, there have been rising cases of homelessness amongst youths leaving foster care. The increased hopelessness has exacerbated the rates of crime and incidences of attempted suicides amongst youths leaving foster care. There is, therefore, every need to give hope to these youth. The hope will be provided by assessing the problems that bedevil them and further suggest some of the solutions to these problems. The research is, therefore, significant in various ways as it will provide answers to the challenges in the foster care system and lead to the development of a better system soon.

Literature review

Recent literature on this subject revealed that every youth coming out of the foster care system does not have any family support compared to the average American youth. The average American youth is receiving more support from their parents or families more than they did a decade ago. While this is happening, the youths leaving foster care systems do not have access to any family system after coming out of the foster care units.

Most of the youths who leave foster care systems end up being on their own since most often they do not get any family support. Yi and Wildeman (2018) further added that also, to the neglect experienced after leaving the foster care systems, the majority of the youths do not acquire any essential skills while they are at the foster care. Despite federal laws stipulating that all children under foster care must acquire knowledge and skills while at foster care, little is being done to enforce these laws. For instance, only close to 30% of youths who leave foster care systems access vocation and employment after leaving the foster care units. Additionally, the financial and budgetary allocations reach less than 50% of all the youths while they are still in foster care, which implies that almost half of them do not have any support before and after leaving foster care (Häggman-Laitila, Salokekkilä & Karki, 2018).

McCoy, McMillen, and Spitznagel (2018) postulated that the foster care youths had been neglected by all systems within the country, starting with the federal government, the state governments, and finally, the community. While there are numerous laws to support them, little has been done to help them, and this has, therefore, left them at the mercy of well-wishers. It is clear that over 50% of the foster youths do not have access to any training during the foster care period, and it is therefore not a wonder that most of them end up unemployed or without anything to do after leaving foster care. Most earned less than $8,000 per year, while the rest are left at the mercy of the government and other non-governmental organizations (McCoy et al. 2018). The cycle of homelessness, poverty, and unemployment has, therefore, remained engrained amongst foster youths, which is a worrying trend that needs to be addressed immediately.

The research on the challenges faced by youths after leaving foster care started receiving significant attention in the 1980s, according to Fryar, Jordan, and DeVooght (2017). The government initiated plans to provide funding to these foster care and directly to the youths after leaving care centers. The move was aimed at solving the challenges that were emerging and ensuring that these youths have a good life after leaving foster care.

Many years later, however, the move had borne little fruits, with the same problems being experienced in recent years. Thompson, Wojciak, and Cooley (2018) research revealed that issues such as homelessness, unemployment, low economic status, and education have increased in recent years.  The exacerbating problems have led to more research on some of the

Shroyer and Brennan (2019) provided critical insight into some of the measures that are currently being taken to address this problem. Rosenberg and Kim (2017) had asserted that various states in the United States, such as Texas and North Carolina, had initiated efforts to help those youths who are coming out of foster centers. They particularly cited how North Carolina was providing access to housing and covering attendance costs in universities and colleges for youth leaving foster care up to four after leaving these centers. They further asserted how Texas, on the other hand, had initiated laws that required all universities and colleges within Texas to provide education slots for youths leaving foster care.

While the efforts by individual states such as Northern Carolina and Texas are commendable, Rice (2019) mentioned that there is more that needs to be done to solve this pressing problem. He particularly cited the following as some of the most effective solutions to this problem. One of the solutions should be to incorporate all youths coming out of foster care into a free housing scheme, which should be funded entirely by the government.

Federal and state governments should collaborate to provide funds to support these youths with decent homes, as a way of ending the rate of homelessness amongst them. Secondly, the government should also initiate efforts that will provide a guaranteed slot in government universities, specifically for youths leaving foster care. Pergamit, McDaniel, and Hawkins (2012) further added that the government should ensure that there are affordable community schools where youths can learn vital skills while they are still under foster care. Additionally, the government should provide that educated youths who leave foster care are given primary consideration in all job opportunities that arise and should formulate a policy together with major corporations to actualize this objective.

Purpose of the research study

As informed by the literature review, the general aim of the study was to understand the challenges being experienced by youths after leaving foster care. The study aimed to understand the statistics on these challenges, including a concise history and the failures thereof.

Additionally, the study evaluated the measures conducted in the past to solve these problems or challenges. Also, it aimed to assess whether any solutions had been achieved in the past. The divergent literature was critical in enabling us to understand the roots of these challenges and thereby providing a clear picture of this problem. Additionally, the study was aimed at unraveling some of the solutions that have been suggested by different researchers to address these challenges and how they could impact these youths both in the near and distant future.

Specifically, the study assessed how this problem is rooted within society and to uncover how it has affected society. In so doing, it enables us to understand how the community, the government, and other institutions can collaborate in an attempt to find a long-lasting solution to this problem. Finally, the study was aimed at providing answers to policymakers on some of the policies that can be initiated to not only give hope to these groups in the society but also to foster equality in the community.

The specific research question

1. What are the challenges facing youths leaving foster care?

Research Design and Methods

Research Design

In conducting the research, the survey design method of analysis was undertaken to provide answers to some of the questions that may have been asked in the study. The technique involves selecting a group of items or persons for analysis, who represent a large population group in the investigation. The survey method of analysis primarily involves various methods, such as sampling methods or questionnaires. In addition to the sources of research mentioned above, the study also incorporated secondary sources of data such as the use of publications, journals, and reputable internet sources. The combination of the primary sources of research and the secondary sources of data proved essential in coming up with detailed and reliable analysis. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the various problems that were currently being experienced by youths leaving foster care. Additionally, the study aimed to unravel whether any interventions had been made in the recent past. Finally, the research will aim to assess the fundamental reasons why there exist problems or challenges within the foster care system and after leaving the foster care system.

The population of the study

The target population for the study primarily involved youths who were just leaving foster care. Also, the target population targeted government officials and members of the community. All three groups were integral when researching since they provided pivotal information vital to the research. The population was selected randomly from different places across the United States and did not specifically originate from one place. The study focused specifically on individuals with an attachment to youths leaving foster care since they were the most suitable population for this study. The point above is affirmed by the fact that they are the population group who understand the challenges and problems that are witnessed by youths leaving foster care. The fact that it targets youths leaving foster care and the community around them implies that they understand the issues that surround these youths and would, therefore, provide the most factual information.

Sample population

The sample population is pivotal in every research process. The above is triggered by the fact that a population can be small or large enough to warrant the tabulation of the entire population. The sample population is, therefore, a small cluster of a group within the larger population. The sample population in this study comprised only those that were analyzed or assessed in the research. For this study, 200 youths who had recently left foster care were sampled. Also, the research also sampled 15 government officials working in the federal government in different government departments that touched directly on the lives of youths leaving foster care. Also, the sample population included 100 members of the community, who were living with youths who had previously left foster care, had interacted with youths who had left foster care or knew persons who had recently left foster care.  The total number of respondents in the sample population was, therefore, 315 members.

Sampling plan

The sampling plan primarily involved a stratified random plan, which was used to assess the sample population that had been selected to participate in the research. The plan was mainly used to ensure that the variables, which were being used, were fair and equal. The stratification was primarily based on the youths who were leaving foster care. In every area, the youths who were selected for the study were assessed through the simple random sampling method. The method involved assessing youths who have left foster care either through online government sites or from community referrals. The community referrals are those people within the community who know people who have left foster care recently and thereby provide referrals to such people. Also, data was gathered from reputable non-governmental online sites, including social media sites that may provide a referral to any youth who may have left foster care. The sampling was conducted randomly without any specific technique. The stratified technique was employed to the 200 youth and 100 community members, but the 15 government members were selected through a detailed and accurate assessment that identified government officials within departments that touched directly on the lives of youths leaving foster care.

Data collection instruments

One of the primary instruments that were used in the collection of data was the use of interviews. The study conducted interviews on government officials as well as the youths who had left foster care. Additionally, some interviews were conducted on members of the community who knew or had interacted with youths leaving foster care. The questions on the interview were mainly aimed at soliciting for answers on some of the challenges or problems that were being experienced by youths who had left foster care. Various questions were asked regarding the methodology for the foster care education, various challenges, and problems that were affecting or had affected youths leaving foster care and finally on the solutions that could be considered to address the issues that were mentioned.

Additionally, a questionnaire was developed, as will be highlighted in the Appendix. The questionnaire was divided into three sections and was titled; “Youths leaving foster care: problems and solutions.”  The instrument content was primarily based on the interview findings and, more specifically, from the youths who are leaving foster care. Also, the findings were also based on the conclusions of the literature review.

The questionnaire was based on the following sections:

• The first section was a section for inputting the personal data for the sample group that was being interviewed
• The other section was on the section, which stipulated the objectives of the foster care
• The third section was on the challenges and problems that were currently affecting youths in foster care
• The fourth section is on the materials and the methodology that was being conducted on youths leaving foster care
• The fifth and final section included five recommendations on some of the possible solutions to solve the challenges that currently affect youths in foster care.

The instruments were arranged in a Likert fashion where they were structured into two sections point scale where one stated “agreement” while the other stated “disagreement.” The respondents were then required to state the degree of how they either agreed or disagreed with the questions that were asked in the instrument.

How the questionnaire was validated

The questionnaire, which formed the basis of this study, was validated through two ways, one of which was through content validity while the other one was through face validity. The abovementioned questionnaire validity methods have been defined in the following ways by ghghkjkhh.

Content validity is the validity of ensuring that a test should contain a sample of a range of behaviors that are being represented through a test of the various theoretical concepts. Face validity, on the other hand, is the notion that there should be superficiality of the tests and more especially on the factors that should be assessed by the test.

In the process of validation, the copies of the questionnaires were given to experts in this field. The professionals assessed the questionnaires and the research questions carefully and compared the two to ascertain the validity and reliability of the data contained in the questionnaire. They suggested that the Likert scale should be re-structured to a four-point scale rather than the previously mentioned two-point scale. The professionals were of the opinion that a four-point scale would improve the validity of the research since the “strongly agree” scale can be assigned five points, while the “strongly disagree” point will be assigned one point. The professionals also suggested other useful alterations, which were made and amended appropriately.

After the validation of the questionnaire, there was a pilot testing on all the instruments.  The pilot testing targeted twenty youths who had left foster care and one government official in the state of New York. The research was, however, not limited to the state of New York. The tests were conducted to ascertain the following.

• How the respondent will react to the questionnaire
• Whether the items are understandable
• Whether the content within the questionnaire is sufficient or more information should be added
• Their reaction towards the questions asked
• How practicable the data analysis method is for conducting the analysis

From the analysis, it was evident that the questionnaire was clear and well understandable to all. There was no ambiguity, which was noticed in the pilot test. Therefore, the questionnaire was drafted and sent to the sample population as it is.

Data Collection Methods

After the completion of the pilot study, the questionnaires were sent to the study population directly to come with an analysis of the study. Out of the 315 copies that were sent to the study population, 310 respondents successfully filled the answers and sent back the copies, which represented a response rate of over 98%. The copies were sent via mail and sent back via email, which made the process of retrieval easy. If the questionnaires had been sent manually, the probability of misplacing and losing some copies would have been high. The use of computers, therefore, increased the efficiency of the data collection.

Data analysis methods

The data that was collected was later analyzed through a statistical weighted mean process. The technique was explicitly used to gather answers from the research questions, which had been asked. The answers were tabulated using the weighted mean method, as shown below.

• The point of acceptance was 5 points and any response that indicated one was thereby rejected.

Ethical Considerations

The ethical aspects were taken into consideration when conducting the research methodology. For instance, the study ensured that the participants in the research project were not subjected to any form of harm. Additionally, the dignity of the participants was respected and upheld throughout the research. The study further obtained the consent of all the participants before conducting the research. Finally, the privacy of the respondents was taken into consideration when conducting the research.

Feasibility Issues

Limitations

Translation of Finding to Practice

References

Fryar, G., Jordan, E., & DeVooght, K. (2017). Supporting young people transitioning from foster care: findings from a national survey. Retrieved from https://www.childtrends.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/SYPTFC-Findings-from-a-National-Survey-11.29.17.pdf

Häggman-Laitila, A., Salokekkilä, P., & Karki, S. (2019). Young people’s preparedness for adult life and coping after foster care: a systematic review of perceptions and experiences in the transition period. Child & Youth Care Forum, 48(5), 633–661.

Häggman-Laitila, A., Salokekkilä, P., Karki, S. (2018). Transition to an adult life of young people leaving foster care: A qualitative systematic review. Retrieved from https://bettercarenetwork.org/library/principles-of-good-care-practices/leaving-alternative-care-and-reintegration/transition-to-adult-life-of-young-people-leaving-foster-care-a-qualitative-systematic-review

McCoy, H., McMillen, C., & Spitznagel, E. L. (2018). Older Youth Leaving the Foster Care System: Who, What, When, Where, and Why? Child Youth Service Rev, 30(7), 735–745.

Pergamit, M. R, McDaniel, M., & Hawkins, A. (2012). Housing assistance for youth who have aged out of foster care: the role of the Chafee foster care independence program. Retrieved from https://aspe.hhs.gov/basic-report/housing-assistance-youth-who-have-aged-out-foster-care

Rice, D. (2019). House bill targets homelessness among youth leaving foster care. Retrieved from https://www.cbpp.org/blog/house-bill-targets-homelessness-among-youth-leaving-foster-care

Rosenberg, R., & Kim, Y. (2017). Aging Out of Foster Care: Homelessness, Post-Secondary Education, and Employment. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 12(1), 99-115.

Shroyer, A., & Brennan, M. (2019). Stable Housing Can Launch Youth Leaving Foster Care on a Path to Success. Retrieved from: https://housingmatters.urban.org/articles/stable-housing-can-launch-youth-leaving-foster-care-path-success

Thompson, M. H., Wojciak, S., & Cooley, E. M. (2018). The experience with independent living services for youth in care and those formerly in care. Children and Youth Services Review 84, 17-25.

Yi, Y., & Wildeman, C. (2018). Can Foster Care Interventions Diminish Justice System Inequality? The Future of Children, 28(1), 37-58.