Rhode Island provided foster care services for youth in the care of DCYF until age 21 until July 1, 2007 when the age limit was lowered to age 18. Youth with serious emotional disturbances, autism, or functional developmental disabilities remain legally entitled to services until age 21.
A growing number of states have extended foster care services beyond age 18, a policy that can have substantial individual, societal, and economic benefits. It is more cost effective to invest in successful transitions to adulthood than to pay for the cost of failure.
To date, 25 states and DC provide foster care services to youth until age 21.
To learn more about extending foster care to age 21 in Rhode Island,
please click here.
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