Preventable Tragedy: A Hawaiian Teen's Suicide After Foster Care

by Natalie Wendt · 2010-11-12 13:00:00 UTC
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Hawaiian teen Erwin Viado Celes had a lot going for him when he killed himself last September at age 19. He had a steady job at a pizza restaurant, college aspirations, a mentor in his kickboxing coach, and caring friends who now are fundraising to cover his burial costs. He'd also survived severe early childhood neglect followed by 14 years in foster care. When he aged out without a stable home in March, he began bouncing between friends' couches.

His death is a reminder of the changes desperately needed for the 30,000 American teens who age out of foster care every year, and Hawaii's state government is now considering reforms.

Forty percent of former foster kids experience homelessness, including couch surfing like Celes, by their mid-20s. Studies have shown that those who age out are also at greater risk of unemployment and criminal conviction, and that a mere six percent obtain college degrees by the time they're 24. Add this to the fact that 5,000 homeless youth die every year from violence, illness or suicide, and you have a dire picture of post-foster care life.

Celes was granted an additional year of foster care, so he aged out at 19 instead of 18 like most foster kids, but his Medicaid coverage ended with his 19th birthday. Without medical coverage, Celes couldn't access mental health services, even after he talked of killing himself following his ex-girlfriend's suicide. And though he wanted to go to college, an uneven transcript and lack of funds kept the dream from becoming reality. (Celes wasn't enrolled in school until he entered foster care, two years behind his peers).

At a recent legislative hearing on former foster children held by Hawaii State Representative John Mizuno, attendees voted to improve the system through:

  • Automatic enrollment in Medicaid coverage for those who age out until they're 21, and support for medical coverage after age 21.

  • Increasing foster care board payment, which hasn't increased in 24 years (yikes!), and higher education payments.

  • Providing affordable housing options for transitioning foster youth.

  • Community and state college scholarships for transitioning foster youth.

  • Adult mentoring.

Mizuno also suggested extending foster care until age 21 and implementing mandatory training for foster parents after they're licensed, which is required in all but two states. All great ideas, all needed, and not just in Hawaii.

Photo credit: thanker212

Natalie Wendt is an elementary school teacher and freelance writer. She has volunteered at Hope House, a shelter for homeless women, and with Food Not Bombs.
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