Transition to Adult Living
Gov. Walker Announces Transition to Adult Living Program
Gov. Olene Walker announced the Transition to Adult Living Program Nov. 17, 2003, another key element in the Walker Work Plan under the priority: Maximizing Human Potential. "Becoming an adult can be trying for anyone. But children aging out of foster care face unique challenges. Many don't succeed because they don't have the typical support systems as they prepare for adult life," Walker said. "These young people are in situations where they may not return home, may not want to be adopted and need help planning their personal futures." Walker's program will provide young people assistance in transitioning from foster care to adult living through a public/private network of support in order to promote their success. Assistance includes assessment, mentoring, self-esteem building, personal future planning, caregiver and family networking, education and training in basic life-skills. The program will also help young adults find housing, employment, on-the-job training, crisis support and medical and mental health care. National studies on youth aging out of foster care indicate:
- 60 percent of females had given birth.
- 90 percent have no health-care coverage.
- Are more likely to be homeless.
- Have lower math and reading skills and only half complete high school.
- Are more likely to be involved in the criminal justice system with about 19 percent incarcerated.
