Episode 37: Foster Care and Homelessness: Why Connection Matters in the Child Welfare System

In this episode, I’m talking about the deep connection between foster care and homelessness, especially for youth who age out of the child welfare and foster care system without a plan or without supportive family to lean on. I share why this should be a shared sorrow for all of us, and what shared success can look like when a community wraps support around families early and consistently. I also break down what the data tells us about foster youth and homelessness and incarceration, highlight a few federal and state programs that matter, and share a local example of what it looks like when systems actually connect and build a “one front door” approach for families.   Call to Action: If you know a youth who has been involved in foster care, encourage them to ask about FYI vouchers and Chafee supports and to connect with local agencies that can help them navigate eligibility. And if you’re a leader, partner, or helper in the family and child welfare system, let’s talk about what intentional connection could look like across your local ecosystem. Email: [email protected]