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States of opportunity for youth aging out of foster care

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  • Alexa Prettyman

Abstract

Over 20,000 youth age out of foster care each year in the United States facing various hardships. Research demonstrates that extended foster care beneficially impacts youth aging out of care; however, it is less clear which states assist these youth. This descriptive paper explores which states effectively assist foster youth aging out of care. I use the National Youth in Transition Database and a two‐step regression‐adjusted approach to determine state effectiveness across a variety of outcomes, including college enrollment, employment, disconnectedness, homelessness, incarceration, substance abuse, and parenthood. I find considerable variation in state effectiveness depending on the outcome.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexa Prettyman, 2025. "States of opportunity for youth aging out of foster care," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 43(3), pages 388-410, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:43:y:2025:i:3:p:388-410
    DOI: 10.1111/coep.12679
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    2. Alexa Prettyman, 2024. "Happy 18th Birthday, Now Leave: Estimating the Causal Effects of Extended Foster Care," Working Papers 2024-02, Towson University, Department of Economics, revised Feb 2024.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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