Summarizes the results of a phone survey conducted with 38 State Independent Living (IL) Coordinators from December 2003 through April 2004 to gather information regarding discharge policies, funding, and housing options available to youth transitioning out of the foster care system due to age. Youth aging out of the system are affected by states’ discharge policies and resource limitations. Lack of funding restricts the State IL Coordinators’ ability to provide a broad continuum of housing options. Additionally, state discharge policies regulate the length of time a youth can remain in care and whether a young person can return for foster care services once discharged. Further policies, services, and housing supports are needed to assist in making successful transitions out of the foster care system to adulthood. Recommendations to ensure successful transitions include: engaging youth in developing effective written discharge plans; promoting best practices in the fields of Transition, IL, and Self-Sufficiency services; allowing young people to receive foster care and Chafee services up to age 21 regardless of discharge age; forming collaborations to create cross-system dialogue between child welfare and other community-based agencies; and developing housing programs. State Noteworthy Practices programs implemented by public agencies are successfully assisting youth aging out of the foster care system.
