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The Adolescent Brain:New Research and Its Implications for Young People Transitioning From Foster Care

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About [INSERT STATE AGENCY/SITE]• [Insert a few bullet points about your organization.]

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About the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative

• The Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative:o Named in memory of Jim Casey, founder of UPS, who

improved the lives of millions of children and families through the founding of two national foundations.

o For the past 10 years, one of the leading national voices in child welfare, particularly focused on supporting young people transitioning from foster care into adulthood.

o Works on a state-by-state level with 13 states – including [INSERT STATE AGENCY] in [INSERT STATE] – to create systems improvements nationwide for young people transitioning from foster care.

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The Issue at Hand• Young people transitioning from foster care without the

needed network of support experience poor outcomes:

• More than one in five will become homeless after age 18

• One in four will be incarcerated within two years

• 71 percent of young women will be pregnant by age 21

• Only 58 percent will graduate high school by age 19

• Fewer than 3 percent earn a college degree by age 25

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Summary• In adolescence, the brain experiences a period of major

development and growth comparable to that of early childhood.

• Adolescents must take on distinct developmental tasks in order to move through emerging adulthood and become healthy, connected, and productive adults.

• Young people in foster care often lack the supports needed to complete these tasks, but several key recommendations have been developed to counteract this current issue.

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Key Findings• Between ages 12-22 for girls, and 15-30 for boys, the brain is

still developing.

• Many young people in foster care have experienced some level of trauma. But this research indicates that trauma’s impact on brain development is not permanent.

• Adolescence is a time when resilience can be bolstered.

• Adolescents need support, but also require challenge, responsibility, and some level of healthy risk taking.

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Important Themes• “Connected by 25”

• Social Capital

• The Impact of Trauma on Brain Development

• Resilience

• Neuroplasticity

• Positive Youth Development

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Recommendations1. Support positive youth development.

2. Provide interdependent living services.

3. Encourage young people in personal planning and decision making.

4. Engage in trauma-informed practices to promote healing and emotional security.

5. Extend developmentally appropriate foster care to 21.

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This is a Solvable Issue: Join Us

• [Insert your specific call to action. For example…]

• How will you enhance one aspect of your current practice to better incorporate these recommendations, and improve your support for young people transitioning from foster care?

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An In-Depth Look: Issue Briefs

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More InformationFor copies of The Adolescent Brain: New Research and Its Implications for Young People Transitioning From Foster Care and other related issue briefs:

www.jimcaseyyouth.org

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Questions?

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www.jimcaseyyouth.org