Three Strategies to Enhance Extended Foster Care in Minnesota

Most young people are neither prepared—nor expected—to be fully self-sufficient by age 18. Young people in foster care are no different and benefit from having support as they transition into adulthood. Extended foster care provides services and supports to young people ages 18 to 21 while they achieve the important milestones of their young adult years (e.g., educational attainment or career milestones). Young people who spend time in extended foster care fare better than their peers who did not enter extended foster care.

For our study of extended foster care in Minnesota, we interviewed 28 Fosters who are or were eligible for extended foster care about information they received, barriers to care, and benefits from the program. These Fosters shared three sets of recommendations on enhancing extended foster care in Minnesota.

1. Start talking about extended foster care early, often, and through multiple channels.
2. Streamline enrollment and service delivery so Fosters can focus on their education, career, and self-sufficiency goals.
3. Support Fosters' journey to self-sufficiency through supportive, nonjudgmental conversations that prepare Fosters for life as young adults.