Editorial: Care for foster kids until age 21

Friday, Feb. 22, 2002 | 9:52 a.m.

Family Court Judge Gerald Hardcastle asks: "Would you turn your own 18-year-old child out of the house, saying nothing more than good luck?" It's a good question in light of the state's practice to do just that with 18-year-old foster children. Foster children as a group are among the more at-risk teens, which makes turning them out alone to face the world even more objectionable. Many have experienced personal trauma to the point where they lack a high school education and have no skills that could land them more than a minimum-wage job. Good luck, indeed.

Recognizing the obvious problem, the 2001 Legislature authorized an extra $1 fee for all documents filed with county recorders, with the proceeds dedicated to providing services to foster children between 18 and 21. The money is accumulating and planning for how to spend it is under way at the state Division of Child and Family Services. Ideas include using the money to match federal Medicaid funds, thereby offering at least health insurance until the child is 21. Other plans revolve around subsidizing housing, food and education costs.

But 21 is the age that people are considered adults, and only adults should be turned out on their own after years of foster care. In cases where the child is entering the military or higher education, separations from state jurisdiction could be arranged. One problem with transitional programs is that most newly released kids will be unable to navigate through all the paperwork and agencies involved. We hope the state will conclude that transition programs are inadequate. A better system would be one in which 18-year-old foster kids are being taught about the world beyond foster care, the world they will enter as independent citizens in three years.