Foster care: Corbett's plan would be a win-win situation

Governer Tom Corbett has proposed that older teens get foster care support until they are 21, rather than 17 like it is now. This will help the kids who "age out" of foster care have more stability finanically. Right now, only foster kids who finish high school, enroll in college, or need medical care get support until 21 but with the governer's new plan, the kids who go to a trade school or straight into the work force can have other financial support too. The extra funding would also encourage more families to adopt and the foster children can have the family's support longer. According to the Juvenile Law Center and Pennsylvania Partners for Children, this could also save the state money. Young foster women are 2 and a 1/2 times more likely to become pregnant by 19 than other young women, so having continued support from 17-21 might lower that as well.