Aged Out Teen Comes Back - Now What?

Glad she felt safe enough to reach out to you during a hard time 💕 18 may be legal but it’s NOT grown, I can’t even imagine being without support at that age. You’re doing the Work!

We just passed a law in Australia to extend care to 21 as most teens arnt ready to go out into the world at 18

This is huge. I’m a former foster kid, who aged out of the system when was 18. You are truly an amazing person to do this without a second thought.

In FL a child who ages out can opt back in anytime to extended foster care until age 21. They also get free state college until 28. There should be a point of contact at the agency to help connect to after care resources

Awesome that you are considered a safe person by a previous placement, and that they sought you out. You're right; they are technically an adult and they are also still a teenager. Most teenagers still need support and guidance.

Wow a teen that reached out to you specifically you. You should feel honored this teen must really like you. This teen feels so safe with you. You will impact her life.

Wow when I started watching you, Darcy was around sawyers age! And sawyer was practically a newborn! And now he’s a whole play dough pizza chef!!! I’m 27 and can’t wait to foster teens one day all because of you.

As a 27 year old who was in and out of foster care for years, I’m still undoing all the trauma nearly a decade later. It brought tears to my eyes when you were talking about regulating their nervous system. That’s something not many people think about. Thank you for knowing these things and being such a beautiful soul

Brava for being there when this teen asked for help. Newly aged-out foster kids are the most vulnerable in our society. Thankfully, this one will be safe.

I am so glad not only that this young lady felt able to reach out to you and that you welcomed her back into your home/family, but that friends and neighbours responded quickly and generously to support you.

if you have her 'rent a room' as her own household (even if you spot her the rent) she can qualify for SNAP assuming she has little or no income. (she has to keep her food separate officially) for help getting a job, she may be eligible for help from vocational rehab if she has any 'disability' including any mental health diagnosis. Most states don't have 'welfare' for adults without children, but a few do.

It’s so commendable that you agreed to help out an aged out teen. You could have made a huge difference to this teen and their future. I’m also so proud of the teen for reaching out and asking for help. I’m grateful that people like you exist. You’ve done a wonderful thing for so many but especially for this teen

Seeing the beginning with baby Sawyer and know look at him xxx

I saw the title and thought "homestudy time". lol. Knowing the things that these children are exposed to and the common outcomes we see with kids in the system becoming "adults", I am so extremely proud that she reached out to you. Considering she was out of state and called you, so many scenarios come to mind. Thank you for being such a supportive adult for these kids. It really shows how great you are that they keep in touch after they reunify or age out.

One thing you said that really struck me here was that “teens aren’t going to make the right choice every time.” It’s important to remember that older adults don’t make the right choice every time either ❤ we’re all just trying to do the next right thing with the tools we have, the best we know how.

Your returning foster is a smart cookie. I hope she gets grounded, feels safe, calm and can move to independence at her own pace. She has had so much upheaval in her young life. Glad she has you in her corner, helping her. I couldn’t imagine forcing a kid out on their own at 18. They are still too vulnerable. ❤️ Sending her and all of you lots of blessings.

It says a lot about you guys that at least 2 (that I know of) former, aged out foster kids have either reached back out when they needed help or have continued to stay in your life and view you as they home away from home and second family, especially that the parents of the former let her come for regular visits and stays after reunification but before she was 18.

When you said you got the call for help I started tearing up, it's good to know they trust you.

I work at a facility that offers transitional living programs. Once you hit 18, it doesn't mean you're ready to go on your own. Some of our kids can go in as young as 15. They're able to finish school while also having a part time job, learning how to pay their bills, budget, buy/cook food, all of the stuff you need to live on your own, while still having the safety net of knowing if you just can't, you're not going to end up not eating, being homeless, or having your lights/phone cut off. You're still going to be taken care of, but you're also learning how to take care of yourself in the process. I feel like kids, not even ones in the system, need something like that where they're able to learn how to be an adult without having to worry about being completely out of luck if things go south. It makes me beyond grateful I was adopted by a family who has been able to allow me some grace and help when there's been times I haven't been able to do it all, and who can still help me with stuff like car insurance when I'm 24

I love this so much! I grew up in foster care and aged out of the system. In my area I was supposed to be the first to try a new program for aged out kids can stay for 2 years longer. But it didn’t last long (money) So I was on my own and still in highschool at the age of 18! It was insane and this was 20 years ago. I can’t imagine being dumped by the system now days with costs of everything so high Thank you for helping her and I pray everything works out for both of you