New housing to open in DeKalb County for people aging out of foster care

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — Around a dozen young people will soon move into brand new homes. They have endured a tough childhood in Georgia’s foster care system. According to Wellroot Family Services, one of the oldest child welfare organizations, there are more than 11,000 kids in the foster care system. More than 600 are about 17 years old, about to age out of care, and must figure out what their next steps look like.

Allison Ashe is president and CEO of Wellroot. She said young people aging out of the foster care system don’t typically have the support others would have.

“They don’t have access to their family often, and they’re going through a very important and transitional time in life,” Ashe said. “Young people who have experienced the foster care system are much more likely to experience homelessness, they’re much more likely to experience incarceration or teen pregnancy. But statistics also show if you wrap those young people with support services, they can make the successful transition into adulthood just like those who are still with their biological families.”

Ashe said the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) is facing a budget deficit of about $85 million, and it’s up to the community to do more to help kids aging out of the foster care system. Wellroot is providing these young adults with a brand new place to live, giving them a new lease on life before their adult life really begins. 

“According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, one in four young people between 19-21 will end up homeless, one in five will end up incarcerated and one in ten will end up experiencing a teen pregnancy,” Ashe said. “If the state doesn’t provide the resources for those types of programs, then young people sort of fall off a cliff once they turn 18 years old.”

To prevent the drop-off, Wellroot will open new housing in the Oakhurst neighborhood and start new programs to ease the transition into adulthood. The property officially opens Wednesday, and Ashe said the new property not only gives young people a place to stay, but it also prepares them to live independently.

“They’re taught life skills on everything from budgeting and finance to how to do their laundry to how to cook,” Ashe said. “They’re supported in finishing high school, getting into college, and they’re also provided critical mental health and counseling.”

Ashe said the state covers about 60% to 70% of Wellroot’s costs, and the remainder is covered by the community. Through the Fostering Success Act, Georgia taxpayers can direct a portion of their tax liability to help fund youth in their climb out of foster care. The state’s program for qualified foster child support organizations is capped at $20 million.

“I think everybody can relate to the difficulties a person faces transitioning from being a child into being an adult,” Ashe said. “Now imagine the difficulties you faced and going through those challenges without a support network or family to go home to.” 

Ashe said soon, they will have a home a community to support them. Wellroot currently has ten young people slated to move into the Oakhurst property. It will eventually house 29 people, and the organization is accepting referrals for more candidates in the next couple of weeks.