Award Date

1-1-2000

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

First Committee Member

Thom Reilly

Number of Pages

143

Abstract

This is an outcome of study of former foster care youth who aged out of the child welfare system. These youth have been out of the foster care system for anywhere from six months to five years. This study consists of twenty respondents, ten male and ten female, taken from a larger study of 100 former foster care youth. The main areas addressed in this study include investigation into the youth's foster care experience, their level of preparation to transition to life on their own, and their post foster care adjustment. Outcomes indicative of poor adjustment in the community were found in nearly all areas. Females overall were found to fare better then males in most areas. The findings support the fact that foster care youth are not prepared for emancipation at the age of eighteen and more assistance is needed to help these youth in the transition to adulthood. Specifically, raising the age of emancipation to twenty-one and extending Medicaid coverage to former foster care youth are recommended; Additionally, much more is needed to help these youth with their "emotional baggage" which they have developed as a result of the experiences they encountered before and during their stay in foster care.

Keywords

Care; Former; Foster; Outcome; Study; Youth

Controlled Subject

Social service; Social psychology

File Format

pdf

File Size

3676.16 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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