National Foster Care Month (NFCM) in May is an important opportunity to spread the word about the needs of the more than 391,000 children and young people in foster care. This year’s NFCM theme—”Engaging Youth. Building Supports. Strengthening Opportunities.”—shines a light on how we can best support young people and help them successfully transition to adulthood. This theme mirrors one of the Children’s Bureau’s highest priorities: ensuring young people leave care with strengthened relationships, holistic supports, and opportunities.
Nearly 20,000 young people transition out of the foster care system each year without a permanent family. In talking with young people who have experienced the foster care system firsthand, I’ve heard consistently how challenging it is to transition out of foster care, especially without the appropriate support. Giving young people the resources they need to succeed as adults begins during their time in care. It is crucial that we use that time to engage young people in case planning, help them build and nurture important relationships, and gain equitable access to the opportunities that all young people deserve.
