Number of Foster Children Landing on the Streets to Double

Sixty-five percent of emancipated foster youth in California face homelessness as soon as they are turned loose.

1 minute read

April 13, 2004, 1:00 PM PDT

By Ratna Amin


The entire United States is bracing for a doubling in the number of foster kids that turn 18 and who will need housing, jobs, emotional support, and other kinds of help. This is a direct consequence of the crack explosion of the mid-1980's. San Francisco's Larkin Extended Aftercare for Supported Emancipation Program (LEASE) is the city's first-ever full-service program specifically targeting foster kids in danger of becoming homeless as they move out on their own at age 18. "Observers say LEASE, which opened its doors in December under contract with the city Department of Human Services, is the most promising of all the methods being undertaken to address the crisis."

Thanks to Ratna Amin

Sunday, April 11, 2004 in The San Francisco Chronicle

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