NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A recent study found a Tennessee program helped make life better for a group of foster children who aged out of state care - something never before documented by researchers.
The Tennessean reports (https://tnne.ws/1IVpsgV) Memphis-based Youth Villages offered services to former foster children that included weekly counselling on many aspects of daily life. Those young adults had higher incomes, more stable housing, better economic well-being and some health improvements.
The study by MDRC compared the lives of 1,300 young people from 2010 through 2012. Since then, the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services and Youth Villages has agreed to split a $6 million cost to offer assistance to all of Tennessee’s aging out foster youth. That 2013 agreement made Tennessee the first state to offer aid universally.
Stephen Savino is one of those who was helped by the program. He told the newspaper, “I don’t think I know anyone in foster care who went on to do anything other than get into jail.”
But Savino recently graduated with a biochemistry degree from Middle Tennessee State University thanks to a few family supporters and a Youth Villages contact who stuck by his side for nearly five years.
“Six years ago I didn’t even think I was worth getting into the military,” Savino said. “If it wasn’t for (Youth Villages), I wouldn’t have even gone to college.”
He said that during weekly visits, his case manager made sure he knew how to do everything from washing clothes to finding a job. He also helped with college and financial aid applications.
The 23-year-old Savino is now married and a homeowner in Columbia. He plans go to dentistry school.
“For me, when I went into foster care, I had a life-changing experience, and I kind of made it a life goal to try to help people see the best in themselves,” Savino said. “The Youth Villages program really kind of helped me do that.”
MRDC and researcher Mark Courtney, of the University of Chicago, will do more research on the Youth Villages program next year. They plan to examine longer-term impacts and perform a cost-benefit analysis of the funding and outcomes.
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Information from: The Tennessean, https://www.tennessean.com
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