Older Youth in Care

Last week we shared some statistics from the 2008 Survey of Washington State Youth in Foster Care, we continue that this week.

The survey was done with youths aged 15 to 18 years of age. Directly from the survey:
The median number of years spent in foster care, including relative placements, for these youth is five years. The median number of different placements experienced by these youth during their entire years in foster care is four. However 19% of these youth reported having more that 10 different placements during their years in foster care. The median number of social workers that these youth have has since they've been in foster care is three.

Taken together, these statistics show the transience that these youths have had to deal with in addition to the separation from their biological family. Change is difficult for people of any age, but especially for those who have lived through so much uncertainty. Without strong roots, it is difficult for the tree to withstand the pressures which abound. This is why we at NAC support efforts to give children and youths the security of permanency in their lives.