Forcing Foster Teens
out on the streets

By: Rafael Sangiovanni

         "I didn't really care [about a proper education]," wrote former foster child Ja'Nelle Earle in a column for www.youthcomm.org entitled, "The Miseducation of Foster Youth." She continued, "Even though I knew what classes I needed to get into college, I didn't know if I wanted to go to college. Heck, I was pregnant with my first child. College was the last thing on my mind. And no one in foster care talked to me about those things."

         It was a scenario like this that the state of Florida and the Department of Children and Family (DCF) wanted to avoid. Florida recently enacted the Road to Independence Act on July 1, in order to draw foster children's attention to the importance of education and hard work, thus instilling in them the idea that one should work hard to reach one's utmost potential. Basically, the law was designed to attempt to keep older foster children in school.

         According to the Act's provisions, which were originally discussed in October of 2002, foster children who have not completed high school and do not have the sufficient grades to be accepted into college are denied the regular state foster care once they reach the age of 18. The age restriction was lowered from the original age limit of 23 years.

         Moreover, the Road to Independence Act withdraws money and services to these foster children who are not enrolled in school, and exempts them from Medicaid and other medical benefits. There are no exceptions to the act; even children with disabilities or mental problems are subject to the age limit.

         DCF has promised to help these "aged out" foster teens cope with their new independence by providing life skill services, subsidy checks for living expenses, and the Road to Independence Scholarship opportunity. Those who do not qualify for the scholarship may be eligible for a one-time grant of up to $5,000 for job training or counseling, or up to $1,000 annually to cover financial emergencies.

         "The kids are going to be expected and encouraged to pursue a career and goal instead of sitting in the system year after year, being taken care of," said Audrey Josey, Director of Specialized Services at Florida Baptist Children's Home.
However, according to Suzanne Stevens, President of the Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association, the intention of the bill is not the reality of what will happen.

         "Many of the youth in care are not ready for a life of independence at 18-years old," she said. "We are concerned because of the limits that would be placed on [them]. They don't have a crystal ball showing them their choices."
This brings to light another burning issue: the increase of homeless teens. Although the law does not necessarily leave foster children out on the street (they could move back in with their former foster parents, but they would have to pay rent), the living subsidy checks, for instance, may not provide enough funds for their personal expenses, according to Stevens, especially with Florida's wavering budget.

         With the act already nicknamed the "Road To Homelessness Act," it is apparent that many people are concerned. Out of the 67,600 homeless Floridians, only 29% of them can be cared for by special facilities. Will the law raise the number of homeless people and make the situation even worse?

         "If they weren't in my home, they wouldn't [be] taken care of they…they wouldn't be safe," said June Ross, the foster mother of 11 kids in an ABC report in May, expressing concern for her teens outside of the foster house.
In addition, Stevens believes that this act will not unlock the keys for foster children to understand that education is essential for a successful future. "[The foster kids] are more concerned with how they will continue contact with family, finding a place to live, purchasing a car, etc.

         "Many of our youth can't pass the required FCAT, but [regardless] have developed goals and plans for their future and they understand what they need to do," Stevens said.
"But how can the government legislate laws for youth in care when they have not experienced that youth form of life and have not requested input from those individuals on the front line?" According to Stevens, most judges refuse to allow youths in their courtrooms.

         Strangely enough, not everyone shares the same concern. In fact, some foster children are optimistic.
"Our kids are excited," said Josey. "They want to get an apartment. They want to work. They're forced to do something with their life, whereas before it was like whatever."

         Although some kids may be stunted due to past traumatic experiences or mental illnesses, Josey says that shouldn't stop them. "You can't blame everything on trauma. I have some traumatized kids that succeed and exceed beyond what is expected of them. Now, with this law, they see it as, 'Here's a chance to get our life in order.'"