Report: Adolescents in Foster Care Have Real Developmental Needs

"The child welfare system needs to do more to meet the developmental needs of adolescents, according to a recent study. 
A report from the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative said scientific findings show brain development continues past the age of 20. It also said young people in foster care need the same opportunities to learn, explore and develop as those in intact families. 
Jennifer Pokempner, child welfare policy director for the Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia, said they also face additional challenges.
"These young people are experiencing the brain development that all their peers are, but they're often dealing with the impact of trauma and loss,” Pokempner said. "And our system has to take into account what that might mean.""