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
- Both Youth Villages and Partnering States
Ambition
Stories of Hope
Helping children and families live successfully
Young adults from the National Collaborative for Transition-Age Youth participate in FFTA 2026 Public Policy Institute in Washington, D.C.
Members of the National Collaborative for Transition-Age Youth with lived experience in foster care participated in the Family Focused Treatment Association’s Public Policy Institute during their week of advocacy in Washington, D.C.
National Colllaborative for Transition-Age Youth brings ‘best practices’ training to jurisdictions
Building on the release of its Playbook of Best Practices, the National Collaborative for Transition-Age Youth is partnering with jurisdictions to help child welfare leaders use the playbook to develop strategies to improve outcomes for young people moving from foster care to adulthood.
What started as a graduation requirement became a calling for one volunteer
Across the country, a quarter of Americans mentor a child in some capacity each year. However, fewer than half of those who mentor do so through a formal program.
For Antwon Boone, becoming a mentor wasn’t part of his plan.
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.