Aged Out: How We're Failing Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care

Across the country, far too many young people age out of foster care into appalling circumstances.

"Aging out" occurs when youth under the state's custody are still in the foster care system when they reach either the age of majority or the end of extended foster care. Aging out refers to the moment in time when child welfare is no longer legally responsible for the youth, and the system abruptly stops providing services–usually when the youth turns either 18 or 21. Each year, thousands of y...