Abstract
This project is a collaboration of both authors. The authors jointly worked on the development of the research question, gathered and analyzed data for the literature review, and collected and coded the data. In addition, both authors jointly designed the questionnaire, the consent form for former foster youth to participate as research subjects, and the human subject application. Chapters one through five were prepared by both authors. Despite the fact that transitional living initiatives such as the Independent Living Program (ILP) have been enacted to improve the lives of foster youth who emancipate from the child welfare system in the United States, a significant number of youth experience detrimental outcomes after they leave care. These outcomes include, but are not limited to, homelessness, unemployment, incarceration, poor educational success, and a higher likelihood of becoming parents at a younger age. This study aimed to examine the barriers and problems that prevent emancipated foster youth from accessing the resources and benefits provided by the Independent Living Program (ILP) in Sacramento County. This project also aimed to understand the benefits provided by this program. Participants were asked how the ILP impacted their lives, and about the experiences they had while accessing such services. The implications of social work regarding foster youth are also discussed in this project. An exploratory questionnaire was utilized for this study. The questionnaire was distributed to emancipated foster youth who had accessed or were currently accessing services through the Independent Living Program (ILP). Participants were recruited from the Guardian Scholars program at California State University, Sacramento, and through snowball referral. Based on data collected, the researchers were able to conclude that there is a need for comprehensive services for foster youth who are emancipating from the child welfare system. The researchers discovered that although the services provided by the Sacramento County ILP were comprehensive, these services were found to be inadequate (lacking) for those emancipated foster youth who managed to access the services.