Keeping Kids Safe in the Econocalypse

by Leigh Graham · 2009-03-10 12:00:00 UTC
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Did'ya like that?  Such clever word play to describe our economic crisis.  Must be my endless years of schooling!

Did you know only 28% of Americans earn college degrees?  And that only 3% of foster children do?  That's abominable.  Fortunately, there's a new federal law out there that provides funds to states to keep kids in the system until age 21.  Well-regarded research estimates that those additional three years increase the likelihood that foster children will attend college for at least some period of time, thereby earning them almost $100,000 more over the lifecourse.  More compelling for states, the associated costs with homelessness, incarceration and public assistance for foster kids aging out of the system is significantly reduced by keeping them on our watch through age 21.

21 states already keep kids through that age.  CA is considering such legislation now.  It enjoys bi-partisan support, given that estimates suggest the practice saves $2.40 for every $1 spent.

"We are talking about spending $38,000 over one to three years versus what it costs to incarcerate somebody for 20 to 30 years," says [CA Assembly Speaker Karen] Bass. In California, the Department of Corrections anticipates the annual cost of incarceration will jump to $53,000 in fiscal year 2009-10.

Unfortunately, if there's one thing states don't have right now, it's money - money that's needed to keep these kids clothed, fed, and nurtured for an additional three years.  Though it'd save us all some much needed funds in the long run.

More than that, this legislation is more humane than current practice.  Says one child-welfare advocate of our existing approach, well:  "That is not what parents do. A parent is not happy to kick a kid out at 18 and say good luck."

These kids may not have parents that can raise them, but that doesn't mean the rest of us need to kick them to the curb on their 18th birthday.

(Photo of memorial of slain child due to gang violence, by Senor Codo)

Leigh Graham
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