How Can We Equip Foster & Kinship Youth for Adulthood?

Drop us some Fan Mail. Thanks! Helping young adults in foster or kinship care transition toward adulthood can feel overwhelming for foster parents and relative caregivers. Join us today for a conversation with Vernell Gore of Youth Villages and Nick Sgarlata of Bridge to Brighter , for practical ways to prepare and equip your foster or kin youth for adulthood. In this episode, we discuss: What makes this stage of life uniquely challenging for youth in foster or kinship care compared to their peers? What does a successful transition to adulthood actually look like? What are some common misconceptions that caregivers or professionals have about youth who are nearing adulthood? When you think about a young person leaving care and thriving in adulthood, what key elements need to be in place? Why might a young person leaving foster care or relative care at the same time they are leaving high school feel the weight of this uncertainty more than their peers? How and where can foster parents or kin carers help youth explore different career paths and possibilities? What are some practical ways they can research those options and make informed decisions? What types of programs or pathways will help youth develop skills, discipline, or career direction? What are the most important money skills young people need before they leave care? What are some simple ways to start teaching these skills while the youth are still at home? What are some everyday adult responsibilities that youth may struggle with? What are some of the benefits of mentors for a young person transitioning out of foster care? How can they begin finding mentors or supportive role models? Beyond practical skills, what character traits or skills do young people need to develop to succeed in adulthood? Many youth in foster care or living with a grandparent or relative are carrying trauma from earlier experiences. How important are healing and identity development in preparing them for adulthood? How might a foster parent or relative caregiver support their young person toward healing? What are a few common mistakes adults make when trying to prepare youth for adulthood? What practical steps can foster or kinship carers start today to prepare their youth for adulthood? Resources: Raising Kids with Neurodiversity (ADHD) Maintaining a Healthy Perspective When Parenting Tweens & Teens Prenatal Exposure, Part 2: Parenting Tweens and Teens Support the show Please leave us a rating or review. This podcast is produced by . We are a national non-profit with the mission to strengthen and inspire adoptive, foster & kinship parents and the professionals who support them. Creating a Family brings you the following trauma-informed, expert-based content: Weekly podcasts Weekly articles/blog posts Resource pages on all aspects of family building

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How Can We Equip Foster & Kinship Youth for Adulthood? is an episode from Creating a Family: Talk about Adoption & Foster Care by Creating a Family.

This episode is 60:38 long.

This episode was published on Apr 1, 2026.

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