It Takes a Village: An Examination of Educational Enrollment Among Transition-Age Youth in Foster Care

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Khalilah L. Caines, LCSW

University of Central Florida

OVERVIEW

The transition to adulthood can be challenging at best; however, for the more than 17,000 young adults that exit from foster care each year in the United States, this transition comes with additional challenges. Research continuously highlights the negative impact emancipation can have on key areas for success into adulthood. The social and economic impact of emancipation prompted federal efforts to improve services and resources available to this population. Despite these efforts, this group of young adults continues to experience lower rates of educational attainment when compared to peers of the same age. The state of Florida has a longstanding history of engaging in innovative approaches to improve educational outcomes for youth in care. While these initiatives improved educational outcomes, there continues to be a lag in educational attainment for youth in foster care when compared to the general population with variance by location. This dissertation utilizes the Social Developmental Model to identify county-level risk and protective factors for educational enrollment (secondary, vocational/technical, and postsecondary education) for youth in foster care at the age of majority. Multiple data sources will be merged into one data set and linked at the county level. Multiple regression models will be used to test the association between county-level characteristics and educational enrollment for transition-age youth in foster care. Findings from this study will have implications for child welfare and education policy, research, and practice to support communities that serve this vulnerable population.

NEXT STEPS

As part of her dissertation fellowship with the Institute, Ms. Caines will provide progress updates on her dissertation in December 2022 and March 2023. A final report to the Institute is expected in June 2023.