35 years of CASA: The Start of Fostering Futures

In 2016, the Fostering Futures program was launched to fill a significant gap in the foster care system. Before Fostering Futures, when youth in foster care reached the age of 18, they were simply pushed out of the system. For many of these adolescents, the foster care system was all they had. Without a stable family or network to guide them, these young adults were faced with severe challenges like housing insecurity, lack of health care and insurance, and unemployment.

With a lack of resources and guidance, the risks associated with aging out of the foster system were significant. Youth who aged out were twice as likely as the general population to be unhoused or unemployed. They were three times as likely not to finish school. These young adults were also at risk for things like court involvement, poor health, and teen pregnancy.

At the time, Virginia ranked the worst out of all 50 states for youth exiting the foster care system without being adopted. In 2015, the 514 youth who aged out of the system were estimated to cost the state and taxpayers $154 million for services like housing assistance, unemployment services, healthcare, criminal justice costs, and lost tax revenue.  Fairfax CASA, the Fairfax County Department of Family Services, and Voices for Virginia’s Children were just a few organizations that advocated in Richmond for a state program to support foster youth beyond 18 years old.  At the time, 31 states, including DC, had implemented a program allowing youth 18-21 to remain “in care” utilizing federal “IV-E” funds. Through the proposed “Fostering Futures” program, Virginia would opt in to a provision of the federal Fostering Connections Act to access additional federal “IV-E” funding to provide ongoing supports to youth aging out of foster care up until age 21. Virginia would be able to draw down matching federal funds for things like housing and daily care costs (which were not covered) for these youth. Advocates presented evidence that a General Fund expenditure of under $2 million would allow Virginia to draw down approximately $3.8 million in those federal funds.  Fairfax CASA and its colleagues argued that this opportunity was too good to pass up.  Implementing Fostering Futures could provide the necessary support and resources to help these young adults transition successfully into independent living, reducing the financial burden on the state and creating brighter futures for these youth.

Recognizing the program as a crucial step toward improving outcomes for youth aging out of foster care, Virginia delegates began by filing two versions of a bill (SB 436 & HB 203) filed in both the Senate and the House of Delegates. Halfway through the session, both bills had been tabled, but the Senate was committed to preserving funding for the bill. The Senate and the House negotiated the budget bill they had compromised on, making one combined budget signed into law by the governor.

After years of tireless advocacy, Fostering Futures became a reality. The program was a crucial step in improving the outcomes for youth aging out of the foster care system. Although it took many years and a few setbacks, Fostering Futures became a beacon of hope for countless youth in Virginia, offering support in a stressful transition to adulthood.

Last year, 49 youth were eligible for the Fostering Futures program; 47 of those youth opted to take part in the program.  The program empowers youth and motivates them to reach their goals. As a steppingstone to independent living, youth in the program participate in skills training, educational support, career development, and housing assistance. The program offers support in pursuing higher education and finding stable employment. Fostering Futures also connects young adults aging out with a network that can help guide them in navigating their next steps—including their CASA!  Having their CASA remain in their life while they navigate entry into adulthood has proven to be an incredibly important connection and support.