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Youth in Care: A Very High-Risk Population for Homelessness

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Clinical Care for Homeless, Runaway and Refugee Youth

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Abstract

Foster care is a strong risk factor for youth homelessness, with an alarmingly high rate of unstable housing occurring within several years after transitioning out of care. The current system of care in most jurisdictions forces youth to be financially and socially independent at an earlier age despite insufficient preparation, thereby making the transition out of care an extremely high-risk period. The sudden autonomy in one’s schedule, finances, employment, education, and health can become overwhelming. As a result, engagement with work and school, and even government welfare services, can often be discontinuous. Various proposals have sought to improve outcomes, including legislation to extend foster care to age 21, with a greater emphasis on building relationships and resources to help navigate complex systems. Healthcare providers can be important advocates for youth in care by championing their medical and psychological needs and serving as a bridge that lasts beyond foster care.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Jimmy Wang

  2. Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Eva Moore

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  1. Jimmy Wang
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  2. Eva Moore
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Correspondence to Eva Moore .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics (Retired), Division of Adolescent Health and Medicine, British Columbia Children’s Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Curren Warf

  2. School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Grant Charles

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Wang, J., Moore, E. (2020). Youth in Care: A Very High-Risk Population for Homelessness. In: Warf, C., Charles, G. (eds) Clinical Care for Homeless, Runaway and Refugee Youth. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40675-2_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40675-2_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-40674-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-40675-2

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