Transitioning youth from foster care to successful adulthood: foster youth aging out of the system have become one of the country's most vulnerable populations.(Cover story) From: Partners in Community and Economic Development | Date: September 22, 2007| Author: Farr, Jessica LeVeen | COPYRIGHT 2007 www.frbatlanta.org. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

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There are currently about 500,000 children in foster care across the country. Each year, approximately 20,000 youth, deemed legal adults at age 18, "age out" of the foster care system. While the number of children in the foster care system has been declining, the number of youth aging out of the system continues to increase.

Most young people at age 18 still rely on family and community support to help them transition into adulthood. Fos...