Guest column: Foster children need help even after they mature

As we approach National Foster Care Month in May, lawmakers — and the citizens they are accountable to — have an opportunity to stand up for youth in foster care in meaningful ways. One key strategy to do this is by funding services for foster youth as they make the transition to adulthood from age 18 to 21. While the goal of the foster care system is to reunify children with their families, each year almost 25,000 youth nationwide — and nearly 150 in Louisiana — age out of the foster care system at age 18. That means that the state, which has parented them, sets them loose and provides no safety net, much less the moral and social support that families provide their children.

Whether you are a parent or simply an adult who recalls the perils of transitioning to the adult world, the realities of today’s society and economy mean that the majority of youth are not ready to successfully be on their own until their mid-20s. During the transition to adulthood, the average young person relies significantly on the financial, social, and moral support of their family; they frequently live at home, and also receive financial support, advice, and guidance. This support puts young adults in the right position to get a good job, support themselves and contribute to the community. During this transition, family is a bridge, a safety net — and sometimes a lifeline.