When most people think of foster care, they picture toddlers or young children, but the reality is that nearly one in three kids in foster care is a teenager. Despite that, teens are often the least likely to find stable placements or permanent families.
According to national data, over 20,000 youth age out of foster care each year, and within four years of turning 18, nearly half experience homelessness, unemployment, or incarceration. Those numbers don’t tell the whole story, but they highlight one truth that can’t be ignored: teens in care need advocates, not assumptions.
When my husband and I became foster parents, we initially planned to work with teens. I’ve always felt drawn to that age, that in-between space where kids are trying to be adults but still need guidance, consistency, and love. Although our placements so far have been younger, I’ve stayed passionate about helping others understand why teens matter and how they thrive when given stability.
There’s a common misconception that fostering teens is “harder.” In reality, it’s different, and often deeply rewarding. Teens in care have typically experienced more transitions and loss, so trust takes time. But once they realize you’re not going anywhere, they open up in the most powerful ways. They crave normalcy: a ride to practice, a stocked fridge, someone who shows up for their school events, and an adult who believes in their future.
Many teens in the system have learned to rely on themselves. That independence can be mistaken for defiance, but it’s really survival. When a foster parent can meet that independence with empathy instead of control, it creates space for healing.
We also need to talk more about what happens after foster care. Aging out at 18 doesn’t mean life suddenly gets easier, it means navigating adulthood without the safety net so many of us take for granted. That’s why programs like Extended Foster Care (EFC) are so vital, allowing youth to remain supported until 21 while they finish school or find stable housing and work.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through our fostering journey, it’s this: teens don’t need perfection, they need presence. Someone who listens, advocates, and believes they’re worth investing in.
So, if you’ve ever thought, “I could never foster a teen,” I challenge you to replace that with, “Maybe I could.” Because for one young person out there, that “maybe” could change everything.
📊Quick Facts About Teens in Foster Care:
About 32% of youth in U.S. foster care are between ages 13 and 20.
1 in 5 teens in foster care will become instantly homeless after aging out.
Only 3% of youth who age out earn a college degree by age 26.
Teens with stable placements are 70% more likely to graduate high school.
Extended Foster Care programs reduce homelessness and improve long-term outcomes by more than 30%.
💬 A Final Thought
When I talk about fostering teens on Guardian’s Mind, Body, Wallet podcast this November, my goal is simple, to help people see the heart behind the statistics. Because behind every number is a story, a dream, and a teenager who just wants a place to belong.
With love,
Juliet
The Anker Homestead 