May 1, 2024
By Julianne Will
Foster care provides crucial support for children and young adults who cannot live with their biological families due to a range of circumstances. However, as they approach the transition to independence, many young people in foster care face significant challenges, including susceptibility to exploitation such as labor and sex trafficking.
May is National Foster Care Month, making this an ideal time to examine how empowering these individuals with the necessary skills, resources and support systems can play a vital role in safeguarding them against exploitation while improving the likelihood of their successful transition to adulthood.
Understanding the vulnerabilities
Young people in foster care are particularly vulnerable to exploitation. Vulnerabilities include unstable living situations, a lack of familial support, histories of trauma and abuse, and limited access to resources such as education and employment opportunities.
In fact, in 2018 the National Foster Youth Institute reported that approximately 60 percent of child sex trafficking victims in the United States have a history of involvement with the child welfare system, underscoring the urgent need for targeted intervention and support. 1
Preventing exploitation through preparation
The Children’s Bureau, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, has assembled a wealth of resources to assist child welfare workers and young people themselves in preparing for this transition. Topics include Financial Help and Resources for Foster Youth “Aging Out” and Financial Literacy for Youth.
More broadly, initiatives that seek these goals can help protect young people in foster care from labor and sex trafficking:
Education and Skill Development: Providing foster youth with quality education and skill development opportunities is essential for preparing them for independence. Vocational training, job readiness programs, and access to higher education can equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to secure stable employment, making them less vulnerable to labor and sex trafficking.
Mentorship and Support Networks: Mentorship programs and supportive relationships with caring adults can offer invaluable guidance and encouragement to foster youth as they navigate the challenges of transitioning to adulthood. These relationships can help mitigate feelings of isolation and provide a sense of belonging, reducing vulnerability to exploitation.
In fact, in 2018 the National Foster Youth Institute reported that approximately 60 percent of child sex trafficking victims in the United States have a history of involvement with the child welfare system, underscoring the urgent need for targeted intervention and support.
Access to Housing and Financial Literacy: Ensuring access to safe and affordable housing options is critical for preventing foster youth from falling prey to exploitative situations, such as homelessness or unsafe living arrangements.
Trauma-Informed Care and Mental Health Support: Many youth in foster care have experienced significant trauma and adverse childhood experiences, which can increase their susceptibility to exploitation. Providing trauma-informed care and access to mental health support services is essential for addressing underlying issues and promoting healing and resilience.
Empowerment and Advocacy: Empowering foster youth to advocate for themselves and access resources and support services is crucial for promoting their autonomy and self-sufficiency.
At LifeWay Network, we offer free workshops specifically designed for young people on human trafficking 101, ways to remain safe while navigating online platforms and how to build healthy and trusting relationships. Discussions such as these can train vulnerable youth to recognize even more subtle forms of fraud and coercion that lead to trafficking, to advocate for themselves and, if they find themselves in a position of risk, to seek help.
Preparing young people in foster care for the transition to independence is not only a matter of providing practical skills and resources but also a means of safeguarding them from exploitation, including labor and sex trafficking. By addressing the underlying vulnerabilities and empowering foster youth to thrive, we can create a future where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential and lead a life free from exploitation.
1 National Foster Youth Institute, https://www.nfyi.org/.
Resources
- Child Maltreatment 2019, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/research-data-technology/statistics-research/child-maltreatment
- Examining the Link: Foster Care Runaway Episodes and Human Trafficking Victimization, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/opre/foster_care_runaway_human_trafficking_october_2020_508.pdf
- About National Foster Care Month, Child Welfare Information Gateway, https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/about-national-foster-care-month/