New legal options to prepare adolescents for independent living

Abstract

New legal alternatives are needed to assist older adolescents living apart from their families to make the gradual transition to self-sufficiency. At present, there are only two legal alternatives for such adolescents in most states: agency legal custody (foster family or group care) and emancipation. Two new alternatives are needed to allow mature young persons to practice limited independence and to receive some continued aid and supervision from child welfare agencies: independent-living arrangements and special programs for young adults formerly in agency custody.