After DCYF: What happens when teenagers turn 18?

There is a young man who is getting out of DCYF (Department of Children, Youth and, Families). He has mixed feelings about today; on the one hand he is happy about getting out. On the other hand, he is worried about where he is going to go tonight. After today he won’t have a place to stay.

In most cases once children turn 18 the courts close their cases and they are no longer in the custody of DCYF. Once they are released from DCYF they have to leave the place they were living, which begs the question: Where do they go? Most often in Rhode Island, the answer to this question is: the streets.

According to Douglas W. Nelson, President of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, disconnected youth (individuals ages 18 to 24 who are not enrolled in school, are not working, and have no degree beyond high school) represent approximately 15% of all 18 to 24 yr. olds. Nelson also points out just how critical it is to help at-risk youth. Nationally, “over 3.8 million youth face a greater likelihood of bad outcomes, now and in the future, which holds severe implications for our society.”

The four sub-groups of young people considered to be the most at-risk kids in the country include: teens in foster care, teens involved in the juvenile justice system; teens who already have children of their own; and teens that have never finished high school.

The Kids Count Data Book reveals that in 2001 there were 132,641 youth ages 15-19 in foster care, with an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 young people transitioning out of the foster care system at 18 (the age at which most states relinquish legal responsibility for these youth). Youth who “age-out” of the foster care system face significant financial barriers, with only half being regularly employed (often in low-wage jobs), more than half giving birth to a child and enrolling in welfare programs, and approximately a quarter becoming homeless.

Each year more than 600,000 youth are admitted to secure detention facilities, with approximately 27,000 youth in these institutions that are overcrowded and unsafe.

Numbers are now at an all time high. How can local agencies keep teenagers off of the streets?

DCYF does have programs for teens that are leaving the system called “Independent Living, Life Skills, and the Yes Program.” However, teenagers can only participate in the programs if they finished high school, are in school, have taken their GED, are going to a trade school, or are employed. If the teen becomes pregnant they cannot participate in the program.

Teenagers who cannot participate in the program or who do not have an alternate place to go are left to live on the streets once they leave the care of DCYF. According to Kathy L., a former client of DCYF, “This seems ridicules that DCYF wouldn’t allow everyone of age, to participate in the Independent Living programs. Why not give all young adults the necessary tools to be able to live in society? Don‘t feed the problem; solve the problem. We need to come up with new ways of fixing this problem, to stop throwing it under the rug. It’s here and it exists, let’s try to fix it now. We have already waited too long.”

Here are some resources:

• Amos house- shelter, transitional housing. Social services department: 401-272-0220
• RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence – advocacy group for domestic violence shelter in the State. 24 Hour helpline: 1-800-494-8100
• Tides Family Services- 215 Washington St. West Warwick, RI 02893, Phone: 401-822-1360, email: mail@tidesfs.org
• Family Services of RI- Family Services: 55 Hope St. Prov., Phone: 401-331-1350, 134 Thurbers Ave. prov., Phone: 401-331-1350
• Mount Pleasant Academy: 1246 Chalkstone Ave. prov., Phone: 401-521-4335
• Family Resources Community Action- Administrative Office and Family Support Center: 245 Main St. Woon., Phone: 401-766-0900
• Counseling and Foster Care Services: 8 court St. Woon., Phone: 401-766-0900
• Employment and Training Center: 55 Main St. Woon., Phone: 401-766-0900
• Emergency, Transitional and Permanent Supportive Housing: Sayles St. Woon., Phone: 401-767-0866
• John Hope Settlement House: Phone: 401-421-6993
• Chafee Life Skills: Phone: 401-431-0557
• Communities For People- Transitional Living and Enhanced Living Situation Programs: Program Director, Rob Aquon, Phone: 401-273-7103
• Covenant House: Phone: 1-800-999-9999