Support foster kids bill and save tax dollars

Now is the time for Ohio to expand support of foster youth from age 18 to 21 – a change that could serve as the single most important public policy change to improve the lives of children in the child welfare system (“Support foster care extension” Nov. 17).

Right now, 3,000 Ohio foster alumni between the ages of 18 and 21 are struggling to survive. They are more likely to be unemployed, dropouts, homeless, incarcerated, substance abusers, dependent on public assistance and victims of human trafficking.

There’s now bipartisan support in the state Senate for this change. Senate Bill 240 will extend services to foster youth through age 21, helping them prepare for college or a career, as well as providing a wide array of transitional housing services.

Cost-benefit data from the 26 other states that have passed similar legislation  make it clear that this investment in Ohio youth will yield long-term net gain for taxpayers. Without this investment, we know that every young person who ages out without support will cost $300,000 in social costs over that person’s lifetime.

Ohio’s youth have waited long enough. Now is the time for Ohio to help foster care youth become responsible, gainfully employed adults capable of taking care of their own children. It must be a priority.

Bob Mecum,president and CEO, Lighthouse Youth Services