A few months ago, at age 19 Gary, a former foster youth, was forced to find answers to devastating questions: Where I am going to live? Will I eat today? Will I ever be able to pursue my dream of attending college?
After entering AspiraNet Transitional Housing Placement-Program (THP-Plus) on October 2009, in Merced County, Gary's questions and concerns shifted drastically.
He now is asking himself completely different more age-appropriate questions: What do I need to do to make sure I pass all 12 units I am signed up for at the local college? How can I move up in my job? What should I cook for dinner today? How should I arrange my apartment? Do I have a few hours this weekend to go to the movies?
"I honestly don't know where I would be without it," Gary said of THP-Plus. "I know I would not be pursuing this accounting career and working at the local college as a lab assistant. More importantly, I don't know if I would have a roof over my head or a place to call home."
AspiraNet THP-Plus, a children, family and community services agency provides the support services these young people need to help them attain self-sufficiency. Aspiranet provides assistance in housing, job preparation, budgeting, shopping, enrollment in higher education, access counseling, linkage, advocacy, and teaches these youth life skills with the ultimate goal they achieve self-sufficiency and become productive tax-paying citizens.
For the 4,000-5,000 foster youth who will age out of care at 18 this year in California, THP-Plus has been a safety net where traditional foster care has left them to themselves.
On Jan. 8, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gave approximately 1,500 current THP-Plus youth their "eviction notices" via the release of his budget proposal for fiscal year 2010-11.
Among his budget proposals was the elimination of THP-Plus funding if the state is unable to secure an additional $6.9 billion in federal funding.
His proposal would force 1,400 young people like Gary currently in THP-Plus into the streets.
This is morally abhorrent and fiscally irresponsible. Outside of THP-Plus the stats are bleak for these young people.
Within 2½ to four years 40 percent of emancipated youth will have been incarcerated, 2 percent will ever graduate from college, one-fifth will have experienced homelessness within 18 months of emancipating.
Within 2½ to four years after leaving foster care less than half of former foster youth are employed, and only 38 percent have maintained employment for at least one year.
In California, 65 percent of youth leaving foster care do so without a place to live. Youth in foster care are 44 percent less likely to graduate from high school and after emancipation, 40--50 percent never complete high school.
Girls in foster care are six times more likely than the general population to give birth before the age of 21. Sixty percent of women who emancipate from foster care become parents within 2½ to four years after exiting care.
THP-Plus changes this picture drastically.
A 2008 survey of 458 youth in THP-Plus conducted by the John Burton Foundation found measurable 19 percent gain in employment, a 13 percent increase in hourly wage, and similar advances in education, health and housing stability.
They also reported decreased rates of "disconnectedness," defined as an individual how is neither employed nor attending school. Rates of disconnectedness decreased by 39 percent among youth who entered THP-Plus.
Whether we look at it from a fiscal or humanitarian point of view, cutting the funding for THP-Plus make no sense. As a state we have assumed responsibility for these youth. It's time we as a state become better parents to this vulnerable population who faces numerous of challenges and disadvantages. They did not ask the state to remove them from their parents, it was a decision we made and we must stand by them and support them.
Gary is unhappy at the prospects of losing his apartment. Because of the stability and support he gets from THP-Plus he has been able to enroll at the local community college and is pursuing a career in accounting.
Since entering THP-Plus, Gary was also able to secure two different jobs, at a local Walgreen's and the local community college.
Unfortunately Gary is not alone.
With unemployment rates growing and our economy aching can we really afford to continue paying between $50,000 to $115,000 to house these youth in correctional facilities? Or should we continue to pay $20,000 to $25,000 annually to house them in an apartment, where they will get the supportive services they need succeed?
Luis Madrid is the THP-Plus Program Manager for AspiraNet in Merced.
E-Mail
Print
