When Independence Day comes twice

For most of us, Independence Day comes just once a year. For 1,800-plus youth in Florida's foster care system, it comes twice this year: once on July 4 and again on their 18th birthdays, when they "age out" of foster care.

According to Florida's current law, these youth are expected to be self-sufficient, responsible, productive adults, despite having no family support, homes or safety net. Their 18th birthdays are their very own "Independence Days"— harsh awakenings for kids who, just a day prior, were 17 and hoping to graduate high school.

Few 18-year-olds are ready for complete self-sufficiency. What type of future awaits these foster-care alumnae?

Though "independent," these youth face a tough road. Half will drop out of high school. Nearly one-third will live on the streets at least once within three years, and, within 12 to 18 months, up to 60 percent of the young women will be mothers. Sadly, many will repeat the tragic cycle of abuse or neglect that brought them into the foster care system years earlier.

How can we, as responsible citizens, allow this to happen?

As children, these former foster youth were rescued from living nightmares — some suffered devastating emotional, physical or sexual abuse, others endured severe neglect. As a state, we vowed to protect them from further harm, to help them heal from their pain. And yet, on their 18th birthdays, the state bids them farewell and wishes them the best.

In 2008, our federal government realized the need to provide foster youth with better opportunities to succeed. President Bush signed into law the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, allowing states to extend foster care to 19-, 20- and 21-year-olds, given that youth demonstrate a commitment to their futures.

I'm proud that some of Florida's leaders also recognize the urgent need for foster-care reform. This past legislative session, Sen. Nan Rich and Sen. Ronda Storms sponsored legislation to extend foster care to age 21, laying necessary groundwork to champion this issue. Though the bill didn't make it through session this time, I commend Rich and Storms for their commitment to youth and look forward to increased momentum in 2012 as they continue their efforts to reform Florida's foster care system so our children have a fighting chance for success.

More than 40 states and the District of Columbia have already extended the age of foster care, and studies illustrate the success: in Illinois, for instance, 58 percent of young adults who remain in foster care until age 21 enroll in college. Moreover, they're 65 percent less likely to be arrested and 38 percent less likely to have a child within months after aging out.

Sens. Rich and Storms are determined to let Florida youth achieve such success, too. The rest of our leaders must now take a stand for our youth, our future. It's time for us to properly prepare Florida's young adults for Independence Day.