Expand Economic Opportunity

What Can Policymakers Do?

• Make Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) available to all youth (ages 14 to 24) currently or formerly in care with developmentally-appropriate financial literacy training and for purchases such as vehicles and deposits on apartments. While helping to build assets and financial security, using IDAs can contribute to users’ greater future orientation, increased personal efficacy, enhanced personal security and increased financial literacy.[1] Georgia’s Department of Human Services supports funding for Individual Development Accounts (IDA) and the state of Michigan is allocating Chafee dollars to support youth IDAs.

• Mandate that all youth leaving care, age 14 up to 21, receive necessary documents upon exiting, including, at a minimum, their Social Security card and a certified birth certificate or green card.[2] Youth should have access to complete information regarding personal, family, medical and educational histories, and legal documents required to obtain essential benefits and privileges. Tennessee requires that transition plans for youth leaving foster care at age 18 detail the transfer of all essential documents (including a birth certificate, state-issued identification card, driver’s license, Social Security card and medical and educational records) to the youth.

• Provide early and consistent connections to the workforce with priority access to workforce programs, developmentally-appropriate training and ongoing support. States should ensure that young people acquire sufficient education, training and opportunities that provide them with choices to pursue post-secondary education and/or connections to a workforce pipeline.[3] In South Carolina, the Department of Human Services partnered with the Columbia Urban League to provide a leadership development curriculum, job shadowing and employment opportunities for youth in foster care. Young people also attend quarterly workshops throughout the year.[4]