Foster Care TRENTON, N.J. (AP) (THENIGHT) - The only thing harder than growing up in
foster care may be turning 18 and being expected to fend entirely
for yourself.
Officials estimate only about half of the nation's 25-thousand
foster children who annually "age out" of the system at 18 have
completed high school or hold jobs. About a quarter will find
themselves homeless within a year.
But now the state's Department of Human Services is earmarking
money for housing and tuition assistance for its 300 foster kids
who age out each year. On Tuesday the Department said it has
doubled its funding for services to 18-to-21-year-old former foster
kids, and is expanding housing options.
They can also tap into tuition assistance and other funds for
housing, furniture or other necessities.


(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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