The Challenge
For many children, the path to adulthood is rough. Right now, more than 435,000 children are growing up in foster homes; 120,000 have been permanently separated from their parents and are waiting for adoption; 20,000 will turn 18 and “age out” without family support. We have a responsibility to do better. Preserving and strengthening families can allow children to grow up safely in their own homes without the trauma of family separation, and effective services can be the bridge to adulthood for young people who leave foster care alone.
Our Approach
Decades of experience and research have taught us this: a family does a better job of raising a child than the state. We provide and advocate for innovative, evidence-based, family-focused services designed to bring help and hope to children and their families, as well as proven services for young adults turning 18 in foster care.
1 in 20
children and youth in the U.S. are in state foster care systems
120,000+
are waiting for a new family through adoption
Our Impact
We’re changing the lives of thousands of children, families and young people every year through our direct services and partnerships with organizations and agencies around the country. Our work is to transform children’s systems, deepen our impact and deliver better results one child and one family at a time.
States
Locations
%
success rate
- Youth Villages States
- Partnering States
Lasting Change
Former LifeSetTM participant, Mariah, shares her story of how this Youth Villages program impacted her life.
Stories of Hope
Helping children and families live successfully
From the Frontline: Suicide Prevention
We have more than 4,500 employees across 27 states providing mental and behavioral health services to children, families and young adults. Whether they’re connecting families to specialized health services
New national collaborative works to build playbook for improved transition-age youth services, programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 06, 2024) — Imagine it is 2034. What will the world look like for transition-age youth leaving foster care or other children’s services? The newly formed National Collaborative for Transition-Age Youth hopes to influence the answer to that question.
Josiah’s Story
When the Department of Children and Families introduced Kallie and her children, 6-year-old Josiah and 1-year-old Jazmine, to the Intercept program.
Building connections vital for mental health, suicide prevention
Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among teenagers and young adults in the United States. However, suicide doesn’t end with the tragedy itself.
Creating a safe home for those at risk of suicide
While some suicide attempts are carefully planned, 48% of adults think about the attempt for 10 minutes or less before acting, and 25% of children act in five minutes or less.
MAKE A CAREER OUT OF CHANGING LIVES
Do you share our passion for helping children and families live successfully? We’ve got a place for you.
