Memo from CalYOUTH: Associations between County-Level Factors and Youths’ Extended Foster Care Participation
Research has revealed benefits of extended foster care in areas including education, housing, pregnancy and parenting, social support, employment, and criminal justice involvement. In California’s child welfare system, services are overseen at the county level, potentially affecting whether and how long youth participate in EFC. This study explored differences at the county level in EFC participation and the perceptions of child welfare workers regarding whether EFC promotes dependence, when foster youth can achieve independence, the availability of training and services, and the quality of collaboration among service providers. Findings indicate that county-level characteristics were associated with extended foster care, including time spent in care and support from various service systems. More research is needed to understand these connections and guide efforts to strengthen the foster care service landscape.