Abstract
Transition-age foster youth (TAY) depend on service providers, peers, caregivers, and others to navigate a complex path to self-sufficiency, yet still face enormously daunting challenges in this process. While extant research has examined the meaning of self-sufficiency for foster youth, the literature lacks comparative knowledge about the factors that TAY and caregivers identify as critical to a successful transition to independent living. Using an exploratory qualitative design, the purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast TAY and caregiver perceptions regarding self-sufficiency. Through five focus groups with TAY (n = 8) and caregivers (n = 14) in New York City, the study examined definitions of self-sufficiency and the supports that caregivers and TAY believe youth need in order to attain self-sufficiency. The findings revealed substantial overlap in caregiver and TAY perceptions of self-sufficiency and also highlighted subtle differences. Overall, TAY perceptions tended to be more future-oriented, while caregivers stressed the importance of immediate supports and actions to achieve self-sufficiency. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.