(Posted 2026 February)
Federal and state data always highlight the number of youth who age out of foster care each year. These young adults face numerous challenges, including barriers to stable housing, quality jobs, and consistent educational support. However, meeting these young adults you sense remarkable resilience and strength.
In 2023, three leading organizations involved in supporting young adults in foster care set out to create solutions that address the unique challenges these youth face. The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA), FosterClub, and Youth Villages formed the National Collaborative for Transition-Age Youth. The National Collaborative also included young people with lived experience in foster care, state and county level public child welfare leaders, national advocates, and partners.
The collective group worked together to build a playbook as a resource for best practices and change. Each section of the playbook focuses on an area of support for young people moving through the child welfare system, such as employment, housing, permanency, and health.
It features:
- 35 targeted policy and practice recommendations
- Nearly 100 examples of innovative practices
- Tools for implementation and accountability
- Specific calls to action for public sector leaders
One of our Fairfax County leaders participated in the creation of the playbook. Julie Bowman is one of the Foster Care and Adoption program managers. She shared that she was excited at the opportunity to participate in such an important collaboration. In her 20+ years in child welfare, Bowman has seen the success and the challenges of those leaving foster care. She shared, “It was powerful to hear directly from those with firsthand experience, which enriched the playbook. It reinforced my commitment to have our youth and young adults at the table for any decisions —nothing about them, without them.”
Visit the playbook, Improving Outcomes for Young Adults and the Systems that Serve Them: A Playbook of Best Practices.
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
Learn about what the Foster Care and Adoption program has planned for foster families - stay on top of trends, participate in trainings and learn about policy changes.