Social Issues In Foster Care

Explain the social problem

There are about 500,000 children and youth in the foster care system. Children are placed in foster care for a variety of reasons, including abuse, neglect, abandonment or exploitation. Life on the move for these kids, two-thirds moving seven or more times while in foster care, leaves them particularly ill-equipped for the transition to adulthood (Helping Children Aging out of Foster Care Prepare for Independence). “Every year more than 25,000 youth age out of the foster care system” (Jansson, 2014, p.62). “As youth in foster care mature into adulthood, they face enormous challenges, including lack of family support; educational deficiencies; employment and income problems; inadequate or inappropriate living arrangements;

In order to receive the care that they need, these youths who have aged out of foster care are dependent on having some time of insurance coverage. “In response to the needs and vulnerabilities of this population, regulations on the Affordable Care Act require states to provide, as of January 2014, the full Medicaid benefit to all youth who were in foster care on, or after, their 18th birthday in their state until age 26” (The Affordable Care Act). “The ACA increases the number of individuals who have access to health insurance, simplifies insurance enrollment, requires that benefits include substance abuse and mental health coverage, as well as medical services, and promotes innovations to help coordinate the fragmented delivery of care” (Emam & Golden, 2014, p. 1). This act consists of a targeted provision to require health coverage under Medicaid for youth up to ages of 26 that have been in foster care previously while simultaneity being enrolled in Medicaid (Emam & Golden, 2014). According to Emam and Golden in there 2014 article, “Youth who aged out in the past several years and are not yet age 26 are covered immediately, and youth currently in foster care are covered when they age out” (p.

This initiative is “A national and state-based effort that believes every young person leaving foster care should have the family connections, opportunities and support needed for a successful transition to adulthood” (Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative). The organization sponsors Success Beyond 18. This campaign “Advances policies and practices to help young adults who are transitioning out of foster care get on track for successful adulthoods” (Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative). It also uses Opportunity Passport which is a program that engages youth in self-advocacy and leadership opportunities while building their personal and financial assets by using the program’s matched savings and financial education tools. The initiative also “Develops practice, policy and evaluation tools to improve young people’s opportunities and assets and advances the child welfare field’s understanding of neuroscience and brain research to encourage implementation of more effective programs and policies” (Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative). Some of the benefits of extending care, and enacting reforms to the foster care system are lower healthcare costs and more young people being connected to caring families, caring adults, and support networks