Youth Aging out of Foster Care Project
Jun 18, 2006
An estimated 9.2 million to 15.8 million children are considered "at-risk" in this country encompassing all ages from 13 to 19 years old. These youth are at-risk because they are at a crossroad: one leads to successful transition to adulthood, the other to dependency and negative long-term consequences. Youth typically considered or identified as at-risk are more likely to become pregnant, use drugs and/or alcohol, drop out of school, be unemployed, engage in violence and face an increased likelihood of a host of mental health problems, which in turn places them at high risk for entering the juvenile and criminal justice system. Many of these youth are in foster care and will eventually be aging out of the system incapable of providing adequate care for themselves. These youth lack focus, education, work experience and work ethics. In conjunction with current funding opportunities under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) the project would take those youth at age 16 and provide intensive core curriculum that will provide them with the tools necessary to become self sufficient. In order for this project/ program to be effective several partnerships with community agencies, court system, and private/public sector employers will need to be established. Understanding that the youth of today are the connecting cornerstones to an ever evolving workforce, this program will aide in transforming the futures of many of these youth. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Workforce Development Board (C-MWDB) youth program, governed by rules and regulations of WIA has proven to be successful in assisting identified at-risk drop outs in obtaining their GED, tech/ trade skill and subsequent employment. Providing these services has changed the perspective of many youth and their futures. The mission of the of the C-MWDB is dedication to ensuring that the C-MWDB system is effectively meeting the...