Taking a Chance on Teens
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Teenagers and Foster-to-Adoption: Why They Need You
Teenage years are tough for everyone. Each of us has been there. Adolescence is a time of incredible change, both physically and emotionally. At the same time, teens are navigating school, friendships, extracurricular activities, jobs, and their futures.
Today's teenagers also feel not only social pressure but pressure from social media sites. Social networking sites only add to the load during an overwhelming time of life. Kids in high school and junior high are managing responsibilities and relationships, too. All the while, most teens are trying to figure out who they really are.
These challenges deepen due to the instability and trauma experienced by kids in care. Many have come from homes that were unsafe or neglectful. Teens often enter the foster care system in desperate need of stability, care, and adult guidance. Most teens in care did not have birth parents who supported them.
Real-time data from the latest monthly Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) shows that teenagers make up a significant portion of kids in foster care. As of Jan. 2025, over 47% of kids in the state's foster care system are between 13-21 years old. The biggest age groups at the time of their last removal from home are teens ages 13-15, representing 21% of all ages. United States' country-wide data reflects thousands of teens in similar positions.
Kids who turn 18 while still in foster care are eligible to receive support services through Fostering Futures. Young adults 18-21 years old can participate in this voluntary program if they are still in school or completing job training. Foster teens who have qualifying medical issues may receive extended support, as well.
Sadly, teens are the most overlooked group in finding a foster or adoptive home. A stigma exists that teens are trouble. But this leaves many amazing kids without good parental role models or other family members. Teens' need for connection, guidance, and love is as vital as that of younger children.
A Teen's True Story: From Uncertainty to Hope
Recently, a brave teenager reached out for help after finding this webpage. They were living in unsafe conditions and had nowhere stable to turn. Their sibling had previously entered the child welfare system and had found support through Fostering Futures' resources. Inspired by this example, the teen took a leap and contacted Child Protective Services (CPS).
One of our family advocates located an Extra Special Parents (ESP) foster home. Thanks to a foster parent willing to open her heart and home, this teen walked through the door of a safe and welcoming family. Knowing little more than the teen's age, gender, and outreach about their situation, this kind foster parent said, "yes!"
That decision changed both of their lives. The teen no longer had to worry about which couch they would sleep on or if they'd be safe. Instead, they began to experience the stability every child deserves.
For our foster parent, it was an incredible reminder. Every decision we make to support a child has long-lasting and positive ripples in their lives.
Teens and tweens Need Homes, Too
While this story ended with hope, countless older children in foster care are still waiting for a foster or adoptive family. Without a home, some will end up in group homes. While necessary in some situations, institutional settings are no substitute for the feeling of belonging in a family.
Adolescent youth in care face unique challenges. They're trying to finish high school and transition to independent adulthood. Often, they've endured significant trauma in their biological family home. They may come into care wary of trusting adults.
This unease doesn't mean teens don't want or need a family. It simply means they need someone patient and understanding. Older kids and teens need an adult they can count on; someone who can look beyond the surface to see their potential.
When you say yes to fostering or adopting a teen, you're providing more than just a roof over a kid's head. You're giving them a soft landing place and the space to process their experience, heal, and figure out who they can be. You're showing them that not every adult will let them down. In fact, many will be loving and dependable.
When you welcome a teen into your home, you're helping them navigate the path to adulthood as a rolemodel with guidance and care. And you're giving kids a chance to thrive and flourish in life in ways they might never have thought possible.
Why Foster Teens?
Here are just a few reasons why fostering teens can be so rewarding:
- Teens are on the brink of independence. You can play a vital role in preparing a kid for their future as an adult. As a foster or adoptive parent, you can teach life skills, offer advice and guidance, and be a steady presence in their life.
- Teens are resilient. Many teens in the foster care system have already overcome incredible challenges. They may not have known another life. With your support, teens in care can foster their resilience into success.
- Teens need adults who will believe in them. Teens understand the importance of having a stable, supportive environment. They realize their odds of living with a caring family aren't as high as the odds of aging out of care without one. They are aware of the staggering statistics about their chances of making it on their own.
Take a Chance on a Teen
When you take a chance on a teen in foster care, you're giving them a chance to dream. By providing a safe space, you're allowing your child to focus on school, friendships, and their future, instead of just surviving.
If the thought of fostering or adopting a teen feels daunting, your concerns are valid. They're also questions every parent (biological, foster, and adoptive) faces. The truth is that fostering a team is about showing up, even when it's hard. It's not about being perfect or knowing all the answers.
If you can open your home and believe in a young person's potential, your support will mean the world. Teens in foster care need families who see their value and are willing to give them a chance. When you provide the space for a kid in care to hope and dream, you can transform their life...and yours!