VULNERABILITIES OPPORTUNITIES &
Profiles of Foster and Non-Foster Youth Served by LifeWorks
Despite growing interest in the experiences of foster youth, relatively little is known about how foster youth differ from other at-risk youth who have no history of foster care involvement. The current report provides an in-depth look at how transition-age foster youth compare to other at-risk youth of a similar age across a wide variety of characteristics.
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488 youth between the ages of 16–24 provided information about their history of foster care involvement.
KEY FINDINGS: Foster youth versus Non-foster youth
INCOME
Foster youth have a lower average household income than non-foster youth.
$209.70/mo
Non-foster youth have a higher average household income than foster youth.
$1006.60/mo
A comparably high proportion of foster youth and non-foster youth served by LifeWorks resided in a place not meant for habitation when they enrolled in services.
Foster youth have a greater number of custody-related transitions than non-foster youth.
A larger proportion of foster youth have a history of attempted suicide.
19.51%
17.56%
HOMELESSNESS Foster youth Non-foster youth
TRANSITIONS
Non-foster youth have a smaller number of custody-related transitions than foster youth. 9.96 1.30
SUICIDE ATTEMPTS
30.41%
Director, LifeWorks
9.84%
A smaller proportion of non-foster youth have a history of attempted suicide.
Elizabeth A. Schoenfeld, Ph.D., Director of Research & Evaluation, LifeWorks Susan McDowell, Executive