NLV’s Wellness, Resilience and Character Development Program Outcomes
Data Collection Notes: Survey population of eligible respondents: 27 of 36 children, 18 of 24 caregivers and 13 of 16 seniors. Data as of June 2020 is collected from residents living at New Life Village for at least 90 days, excluding children under the age of five. This data includes both current and past residents.
*Combined Agree & Strongly Agree Respondents.
Preventative Onsite Programming
Our program aims to prevent the numerous, negative outcomes associated with the foster care system such as:
Education: former foster children have a lower level of education than peers their age and are more likely to repeat grades.
- Only 50% graduate high school and only 3% graduate from a 4-year college (National Foster Youth Institute)
Homelessness: disproportionate number of the homeless have spent time in foster care
- Nationally, 50% of the homeless population spent time in foster care
- According to Foster Focus, within 18 months of emancipation 40-50% of foster youth become homeless
Teen Pregnancy: Youth who have spent time in foster care are more likely to experience early pregnancy. According to one study by the Center for Health Systems Research:
- 49% of the young women became pregnant by age 21
- 33% of young men reported getting someone pregnant by age 21
Incarceration: more foster children end up in prison than in college
- former males foster children have an arrest rate between 25-35%
- 25% of foster alumni will become involved with the criminal justice system within two years of leaving care
Mental Health: psychiatric referral and use were higher for foster children than adoptees or persons in the general population
- Up to 80% of children in foster care have significant mental health issues
- According to a U.S. Government Accountability Office analysis, foster youth are up to four times as likely to be prescribed antipsychotic drugs as other minors
Unemployment
- 47-69% of former foster youth age 16-24 are unemployed (Annie E. Casey Foundation)
- 71% of former foster youth who do have jobs report an annual income of less than $25,000