Outcomes of Youth Transitioning from Foster Care to Adulthood - A Literature Review

Abstract 

Career and technical education (CTE) educators may have little information on youth transitioning from the foster care system to adulthood (transitioning youth), including their circumstances and the effects of leaving their birth family, living in foster care, and transitioning to adulthood. The goal of this literature review is to share useful resources about transitioning youth with secondary CTE educators and other stakeholders, such as administrators, social workers, and caregivers. The method for conducting the review consists of starting and expanding an online search, narrowing the focus, and collecting and organizing the data from 56 resources reviewed in this paper. These 56 resources raise salient issues and challenges associated with transitioning youth and the systems that serve their needs, suggest models and practices that CTE educators can evaluate, and offer supports that educators can access. Findings include salient issues and challenges that affect transitioning youth directly or that arise in systems serving their needs, including their education and employment outcomes, and supports for CTE educators working with youth in foster care. The literature review continues with a discussion of gaps in the literature reviewed for the purposes of this paper and their implications for transitioning youth, educators, and stakeholders. It concludes with a section of annotated resources that educators and stakeholders can access.