Re-Entering Foster Care After Age 18

Juvenile Law Center,

In July 2012, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett signed into law new legislation that expands the criteria for youth to stay in care past age 18, allows youth to re-enter care before turning 21 if they aged out at 18 or older, and extends guardianship and adoption subsidies to age 21 for eligible youth who enter these arrangements at age 13 or older. Visit our Fostering Connections page for more information on this legislation, including law and legal resources, research, and resources for youth. 

This fact sheet answers questions like:

  • Why would anyone want to re-enter foster care?
  • Who is eligible to re-enter care?
  • What help can I get if I re-enter care?
  • Who do I talk to about re-entering care?