California has the largest foster care population in the nation with more than 46,000 youths placed in care of the State. Overwhelmingly, most children enter the foster care system after suffering trauma, abuse, or neglect from a parent or guardian. The majority of foster youth are reunited with family, placed under guardianship with a relative or are adopted by another family. However, there are still thousands of young Californians who have no one to turn to and stay in the foster care system, under ward of child welfare, juvenile justice or mental health systems, until they age out at 21 (California AB 12 extended foster care eligibility from the age of 18 to 21).
Foster care can be a great system for those who have no family support. While there are some outstanding foster families who embrace these children as their own, unfortunately, there are instances where children cannot be placed with families or foster parents abandon them once they age out of the system. Upon exiting the system, these young adults must then take on the responsibilities of adulthood, ready or not. And living in a foster care system where everything is provided for you and then all the sudden you have to fend for yourself, the outcomes can be devastating.
Challenges Facing Transition-Age Youth (TAY)
Each year about 3,500 Transition-Age Youth in California age out from the foster care system with the vast majority located in Southern California (2,052 in the 10 counties located under the 36th parallel). Transition-Age Youth or TAY is a foster care acronym used to describe youth ages 16-25 – the specific age range varies across state, county, and nonprofit service providers. The challenges facing TAY are jarring and severe including disproportionately higher rates of school drop-out, unemployment, poverty, homelessness, mental illness, incarceration and premature death.
In California it is estimated that 25-30% of TAY are currently or will experience homelessness. The numbers are more alarming for males and Black youth who have been in foster care. Young men are 82% more likely to become homeless than females and Black youth are over three times more likely than non-Black youth to experience homelessness.
In California, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, foundations, community partners and volunteers are working together to reverse the grim statistics. The recent decline in the number of youths in foster care in California, and across the nation, is encouraging. However, far too many children continue to fall through the cracks showing there is still much work to be done.
Opportunities to Make a Difference
With the largest concentration of foster youth in the nation, many Southern California nonprofits work with TAY to ensure they have a chance to grow and thrive throughout their lives. Too many TAY have endured abuse and trauma, and count on skilled and committed professionals to guide them through a sensitive and difficult time in their lives. The work can be rewarding, while also intense, being responsible for the health, safety and well-being of so many young adults.
Foster youth face many challenges and the opportunities to make an impact are abundant. Teachers, advocates, counselors, social workers, parole officers, adoption specialists, trainers, coordinators, managers and more are needed throughout Southern California. Below are just a few SoCal nonprofit organizations looking for talented individuals to help make a difference and transform the lives of foster care youth.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Los Angeles
CASA is a nonprofit organization that recruits, trains, and supports community volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the Los Angeles County foster care system. Their work is instrumental in providing a voice for children who may otherwise go unheard in the complex legal and child welfare systems. View Jobs
Penny Lane Centers
Penny Lane Centers offers numerous programs aimed at Transition Age Youth, adoption, foster care, family preservation and more. The organization also operates two of the eight TAY Drop-In Centers in Los Angeles County. Penny Lane Centers’ TAY programs are dedicated to eradicating youth homelessness by guiding youth towards their goals of safety, stability, success, and independence. View Jobs
San Diego Youth Services
Founded in 1970 San Diego Youth Services serves more than 17,000 homeless, runaway and other vulnerable youth every year. The organization provides a continuum of care for children and youth from infancy to age 25, including shelter, foster homes, community centers and housing. Through prevention, early intervention and treatment, the nonprofit aims to help youth before they need higher levels of care or become homeless. View Jobs
Los Angeles LGBT Center
Since 1969, the Los Angeles LGBT Center has cared for, championed, and celebrated LGBTQ individuals and families in Los Angeles and beyond. The Los Angeles LGBT Center provides foster youth services, housing, education and employment assistance for thousands of LGBTQ+ youth. The Youth Center serves young people ages 16 to 24 who are currently at-risk of or are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. View Jobs
Covenant House California
With locations throughout California open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Covenant House California provides a full continuum of services to meet the physical, emotional, educational, vocational, and spiritual well-being of young people, to provide them with the best chance for success in independence. View Jobs
SBCS
SBCS (formerly South Bay Community Services) is a community-based nonprofit organization providing a comprehensive range of services for more than 50,000 children, youth, and families in San Diego County. The organization works to ensure children and families have access to a safe place, transitional housing, healthcare, meals and education. Programs also address mental health issues, academic achievement, and social skills. View Jobs
