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Foster youth are children and teens who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, or unsafe living conditions and placed under the care of the state. They may live with relatives, foster families, or in group homes, depending on their situation and available resources.
Nationwide, there are more than 340,000 youth in foster care. In California alone, over 43,000 children were in the foster care system in 2023. These numbers reflect a complex, deeply rooted need for consistent support, especially in places like Los Angeles County, where systemic inequities often compound the challenges foster youth face.
At Penny Lane Centers, we serve more than 3,500 youth and families every month across LA County. As a trauma-informed organization, we provide housing, mental health services, education support, and safe spaces designed to help foster youth heal, grow, and thrive.
Foster youth refers to children and adolescents who have been placed in the care of the state after being removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect, abandonment, or other unsafe conditions. Many people searching for what a foster child is are referring to younger individuals in the system, but the term “foster youth” typically applies to older children and teens, especially those approaching adulthood while still in care. Both terms reflect individuals who are navigating a time of profound instability and change.
The goal of foster care is to provide temporary, supportive housing while caseworkers and courts determine the best long-term solution for the child. Placements may include licensed foster homes, kinship care (living with relatives), group homes, or residential treatment centers, depending on the youth’s needs and available options.
Most people think of teens in foster care, but the system serves children of all ages, including the youngest and most vulnerable. According to the latest AFCARS report, over 25,000 infants under 1 year old were in foster care as of September 30, 2022, and more than 37,000 newborns entered care during that same fiscal year. These numbers reflect the difficult reality that the earliest stages of life are not immune to family instability and trauma. Understanding how many newborns are in foster care helps shed light on the scope of need across age groups.
Children enter foster care for many reasons, but the most common include:
The ultimate goal of the foster care system is permanency, finding a safe, stable home for every child. Outcomes vary depending on the situation. Some children are reunited with their birth families after parents complete court-ordered services. Others may be adopted by relatives or foster families. For youth who remain in care through their teenage years, services increasingly focus on helping them prepare for adulthood and independence.
Understanding what a foster youth is means recognizing not just the legal definition, but the lived experiences behind it. Every youth in the system is navigating loss, transition, and uncertainty, and each one deserves compassion, resources, and consistent support.
Youth in foster care face a unique set of challenges that can follow them well into adulthood. From the trauma that leads to their removal from home to the instability and gaps in services they experience while in care, these young people are often at a significant disadvantage compared to their peers. Understanding the barriers these young people face starts with looking at current foster youth statistics, which show alarming disparities in education, housing stability, and long-term outcomes.
According to Harvard.edu, one of the most immediate and lasting challenges is trauma. Many foster youth have endured physical or emotional abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exposure to substance abuse and domestic violence. These early experiences can affect brain development, emotional regulation, and trust in relationships. Without consistent, trauma-informed care, it becomes harder for foster youth to develop the coping skills and emotional security they need to thrive.
Another major hurdle is educational instability. Youth who change placements frequently may also change schools multiple times, missing key instruction and support. This disruption leads to academic underperformance and lower graduation rates. According to the CDE, only 65.7% of foster youth students graduated in the 2023–24 school year, compared to 86.7% of all students statewide.
Post-secondary outcomes are even more concerning. According to a college statistics study, fewer than 3% of former foster youth earn a college degree. Factors such as limited guidance, financial instability, and untreated mental health issues often stand in the way.
Housing insecurity is also a critical issue, especially for teens who age out of the system. A 2024 RAND study of nearly 400 transition-age youth in Los Angeles County found that over one-third of those experiencing housing instability had a history of foster care involvement. These young people were more likely to face barriers to stable housing, education, and employment compared to their peers.
Mental health is an underlying issue across all of these areas. Foster youth experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and behavioral disorders, yet often struggle to access consistent and culturally appropriate care. While organizations like ours offer trauma-informed mental health services, systemic gaps still leave many without the help they need.
To learn more about the system and the resources available, check out our Guide to the Foster Care System.
Aging out of foster care is one of the most pivotal and challenging transitions a young person can face. What happens to foster kids when they turn 18 depends largely on the support systems available to them and whether they have access to extended services.
In California, foster youth are considered legal adults at age 18. Without intervention, this would typically mean an abrupt end to services, housing, case management, educational assistance, and more, at a time when most young people are still heavily reliant on parental support. Unlike their peers who often have the backing of family well into adulthood, foster youth may be left to navigate housing, employment, healthcare, and financial independence entirely on their own.
Recognizing the risks associated with this transition, California enacted Assembly Bill 12, also known as Extended Foster Care. This legislation allows eligible youth to remain in care voluntarily until the age of 21, provided they meet certain criteria such as attending school, working at least part-time, or participating in a program to remove employment barriers. With the additional three years of structured support, young adults have more time to build stability and develop life skills needed for independence.
Even with these extended services, many transition-age youth continue to face gaps in support. Aging out often leads to:
We recognize that turning 18 doesn’t mean a young person is ready to face the world alone. That’s why we provide wraparound services that help foster youth transition into adulthood with dignity and direction.
From housing support to life skills coaching, we work to close the gaps that so often appear during this vulnerable stage. Our focus is on empowering youth to build stable, fulfilling lives beyond the foster care system. You can learn more about the challenges and solutions we provide by visiting our detailed guide on aging out of foster care, where we break down next steps, extended care options, and available resources. Supporting this transition is not just about meeting basic needs, it’s about creating a pathway for foster youth to independence, where they can thrive long after leaving the system.
Every foster youth in California is entitled to a set of legal rights designed to protect their safety, dignity, and well-being while in care. These rights are outlined in the Foster Youth Bill of Rights, which serves as a critical resource for youth, caregivers, and advocates across the state.
These rights cover a wide range of areas, including:
These rights empower youth to speak up, make informed choices, and participate actively in decisions about their lives. Understanding and enforcing these protections is essential to creating a foster care system that truly supports growth, healing, and independence. Knowing your rights is only one part of the equation. Access to strong, well-supported programs for foster youth is just as essential in ensuring those rights are upheld in real, everyday situations.
At Penny Lane Centers, we are proud to be one of the leading providers of programs for foster youth in Los Angeles County. Our services are designed to meet the diverse needs of youth at every stage, from those currently in foster care to those transitioning into adulthood. Each of our programs offers trauma-informed, culturally responsive support that helps youth heal, grow, and move forward with confidence.
Each of these programs plays a vital role in helping youth in foster care develop the tools and confidence they need to succeed beyond the system. By addressing immediate needs and long-term goals, Penny Lane creates meaningful pathways to stability, health, and independence.
Foster youth face challenges no young person should have to face alone. While programs and services are essential, lasting change also depends on strong, supportive communities. Everyone has a role to play in helping foster youth succeed, whether through time, resources, or advocacy.
Here are a few meaningful ways to get involved:
We offer many ways to get involved. Whether you’re interested in mentoring, volunteering, or supporting our work through donations, your actions make a real difference in the lives of foster youth across Los Angeles County.
Learn how to get involved with Penny Lane programs and help us build a stronger, more supportive future for every young person in our care.
