The transition to adulthood is a critical developmental milestone for all young adults, marked by identity exploration, increased autonomy, and growth and learning as youth finish school and enter the workforce. During emerging adulthood, many young people continue to receive monetary and emotional support from their families, with some young adults continuing to live with their parents into their 30s. However, this transition can look very different for youth in foster care as they lose access to services or supports provided through the foster care system. To prevent this sudden shift at age 18, extended foster care provides ongoing services and supports to youth ages 18 to 21, with the goal of easing the transition to adulthood and increasing positive outcomes such as educational attainment, employment, and housing stability.
The 2008 Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act allowed states to offer foster care services to youth ages 18 to 21 and be reimbursed by the federal government, referred to as Title IV-E extended foster care. Since 2008, utilization of extended foster care has increased considerably, and research consistently shows that young people who participate in extended foster care experience better young adult outcomes than those who do not. As of July 2025, 36 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and nine Tribes have approved Title-IV E extended foster care, and many other states offer it using state funds. The supports offered include financial aid to pursue post-secondary education; housing subsidies or payments; independent living classes to learn how to create a budget, cook, and perform other essential life skills; and ongoing connections to supportive adults and peers.