Innovation in Child and Family Wellness Research

Educational Attainment of Former Foster Care Youth

Project Title: Exploring the educational attainment and adult self-sufficiency of former foster care youth in early adulthood

Safety, well-being, and permanency are the three main goals of the United States public child welfare system. Placement in foster care is intended to support their goal of safety by removing children from their families who may not be providing a safe and nurturing home environment. Policies implemented to secure permanency follow the assumption that permanency is a conduit to well-being, healthy development, and adaptive functioning. Unfortunately, research is limited in exploring the extent to which permanency is associated with positive outcomes. The proposed study aims to examine the extent to which permanency is associated with the educational attainment and self-sufficiency of young adults who were formerly in foster care.

Funding Partners: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work
PI: Jamie Cage, Ph.D.