In my county they have independent living classes they have to take starting at age 16. The county does not help them get their license until age 18. They do get help with living arrangements, buying a car, making down deposits on everything, financial aid packages for college, job search, etc. But it really depends on the kid. If the kid at age 18 chooses not to have anything to do with Children Services or goes back home (like K's sister did), then there are much less limited things done to help. I feel like our county (in Ohio) has lots of great things for these kids when they turn 18. The other thing is, the 18 yos also have the option to stay in foster care in their foster home for awhile (not really sure how long) too. There is no one kicking these kids out.

But K's sister, who turned 18 over a year ago now, chose to leave foster care (she was in a therapeutic home). She was only a sophomore in high school. She went back to biomom and stepdad, dropped out of school, picked up the smoking habit, got pregnant, and has had probably a new boyfriend every few weeks and months since then. She is now on her own in subsidized housing. She struggles to take care of her baby, and there is a strong possibility she will lose custody of him, and now Children Services is involved with her because of this. She doesn't have a job, can't drive a car, and of course has no diploma. What is her future?