The Long-Term Impact of Trauma: Supporting Foster Care Alumni

Children who enter the foster care system have often experienced significant trauma and adversity early in life, including abuse, neglect, and exposure to violence. While foster care aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment, the trauma these children have endured can have profound and long-lasting impacts if not adequately addressed through support services. This is especially true once foster youth age out of the system and enter adulthood.

In this article, we will explore the long-term effects of childhood trauma, examine why foster care alumni are at higher risk, and discuss the ways in which we can provide better support to set them up for success.

The Lasting Impacts of Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma literally changes the structure and chemistry of the developing brain. Exposure to abuse, neglect, loss of a caregiver, or other adverse experiences can impair cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and executive functioning skills. The more traumatic events a child experiences, the more significant the damage can be.

Specifically, studies show childhood trauma is linked to:

Impaired memory and ability to focus
Difficulty controlling emotions and impulses
Increased stress, anxiety and depression
Low self-esteem and trouble with relationships
Higher rates of substance abuse, eating disorders, and suicide attempts

Additionally, childhood trauma often leads to changes in the nervous system and hormonal systems related to stress response. This puts individuals at higher risk for chronic health problems as adults, including heart disease, diabetes, chronic pain, and autoimmune disorders.

The effects of early childhood trauma often persist well into adulthood. Adults who experienced significant adversity as children are at higher risk for unemployment, poverty, chronic health conditions, incarceration, and early death. Implementing trauma-informed healthcare is essential to break this cycle.

Why Foster Care Alumni Are at Risk

Children enter foster care when they have already been exposed to abuse, neglect, or extreme family dysfunction. Removal from their home and placement with unfamiliar caregivers is itself a traumatic event. In fact, research shows that foster youth experience post-traumatic stress disorder at rates twice as high as combat veterans.

Once in care, many children undergo multiple placements, changing schools, and disrupted connections with siblings and peers. While foster parents are dedicated caregivers, they receive limited training and support. The system itself is under-resourced and overburdened.

Youth who age out of foster care upon turning 18 or 21 are even more vulnerable. They are abruptly cut off from support systems and expected to live independently, even though they often lack family support networks.

Consequently, foster care alumni face uphill battles compared to their peers. This constellation of trauma, disrupted attachments, poor education, lack of support, and sudden independence sets foster youth up to struggle during the vulnerable transition to adulthood.

Abuse within the Foster Care System

Tragically, some foster youth also experience abuse and neglect while in the very system designed to protect them. Physical and sexual abuse obviously inflict additional trauma on already vulnerable children. However, more common issues include:

Lack of monitoring and supervision
Unfit foster parents with minimal vetting/training
Overcrowded and understaffed group homes
Excessive use of restraints/seclusion as punishment
Failure to address bullying within foster homes

Many factors contribute to this abuse gap within the system:

Chronic shortage of foster families leads to substandard vetting and training
High turnover of social workers makes consistent oversight difficult
Group homes are often under-regulated and under-funded
Youth feel powerless to report abuse for fear of retribution or further disruption

Abuse in care causes even more behavioral issues, mental health struggles, and difficulty forming healthy relationships. It profoundly sabotages the chance for foster youth to heal from past trauma.

The Need for Specialized Support

The complex needs of foster care alumni mean targeted, trauma-informed support is essential. However, many age out without ever receiving mental health treatment or life skills preparation tailored to their situation. There are several reasons for this gap:

High caseloads limit social workers’ capacity to coordinate services
Stigma and lack of mental health literacy prevents youth from seeking help
Jurisdictional challenges transferring services across county lines
Few providers specializing in foster youth therapy and support

This lack of specialized services leads to crisis-driven care once foster alumni begin struggling with homelessness, incarceration, or psychiatric hospitalization. A short-term intervention is far less effective than ongoing support starting in adolescence.

We must recognize that foster youth have needs distinct from the general population. Programs designed for the average teenager do not address their trauma and skill deficits. Targeted services delivered in a youth-centered way is key to better outcomes.

Evidence-Based Strategies to Support Foster Alumni

Thankfully, research also shows that targeted support services can improve outcomes for youth transitioning from foster care. The key is implementing trauma-informed programs that build executive functioning and life skills while also addressing mental and behavioral health needs.

Some proven strategies include:

Extending Foster Care Beyond Age 18

Allowing youth to voluntarily remain in care until age 21 reduces homelessness and unemployment while increasing college attendance. This additional support can help them transition more gradually.

Trauma-Focused Mental Health Services

Access to counseling and support groups helps foster youth process traumatic experiences in healthy ways. This builds coping skills to manage emotions and stress.

Mentoring Programs

Caring adult mentors provide guidance and encouragement to foster youth, while modeling positive relationships. Meeting consistently with a mentor promotes confidence and success.

Independent Living Skills Training

Workshops that teach practical life skills like managing finances, finding housing, applying for college aid, and leveraging community resources, set foster alumni up for independence.

Subsidized Housing Programs

Access to affordable housing, with wraparound support for continuing education and career development, is essential to avoid homelessness.

The bottom line is that we have a shared responsibility to ensure foster youth get the preparation and support they need to heal from past trauma and successfully transition to thriving adults. While additional funding and capacity building are needed, there are proven models that improve outcomes when implemented effectively. Supporting foster care alumni is an investment that pays dividends to our whole community.

Get Support from Los Angeles Foster Care Abuse Attorneys

If you or a loved one experienced trauma while in the foster care system, the compassionate attorneys at Children’s Rights Defenders are here to help. Call 855-504-6099 for a free consultation about your legal options with a top Los Angeles children’s rights lawyer or foster abuse attorney. Justice and compensation can help you move forward.