Specialized Support for Older Youth in Foster System

Support for foster and systems-impacted youth

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

LA County faces a critical foster care crisis: As of April, 18,984 children were in the system, yet there are too few foster/adoptive families to meet their needs . This shortage disproportionately affects Black and Latino children, who comprise nearly 75% of foster youth, despite representing a smaller percentage of the county's child population (per Allies for Every Child).
The lack of available homes leads to frequent placement changes, with some children moving five or more times, disrupting their education and emotional stability . Older youth, particularly those aged 16 to 21, are especially vulnerable; many face homelessness due to insufficient transitional housing options.(per Children's Law Center).
This crisis also strains social workers and the broader child welfare system, making it challenging to provide adequate support and oversight . Without immediate intervention, these systemic issues will continue to jeopardize the well-being and future of thousands of LA children.

Kidsave addresses shortages of trained/capable adults willing to foster or adopt older youth through Weekend Miracles LA (WMLA), connecting older foster youth (9–17) with caring adults seeking to build lasting relationships. This is particularly crucial in a region where more than 1,000 age out of the system each year without permanent connections.
WMLA operates by organizing monthly "Meet the Kids" events; foster youth and prospective host families engage in fun, interactive activities. The gatherings provide a relaxed environment for organic relationship-building. Afterwords, mutual interest between youth and adults can lead to a hosting arrangement, wherein the host family commits to spending at least two days a month with the youth for a year.
The unique Kidsave model empowers youth by giving them a voice and choice in selecting the adults they wish to connect with, fostering trust and stability. Since 2005 the program has demonstrated significant success, with over 70% of participating youth matched for adoption, legal guardianship, or long-term mentorship.
By focusing on older children—who are often overlooked in traditional adoption scenarios—WMLA effectively bridges the gap between the need for permanent, supportive relationships and the availability of committed adults. The new iteration for which funding is requested adds an important layer of mentorship training, to support increasingly complex mental health needs of youth as well as the adults who bond with them.

Kidsave’s success would rewrite the future for thousands of LA's most vulnerable children:
-Fewer Children in Limbo: Thousands of youth, especially older ones who age out of care, would find stable, loving families; this would reduce the number of children bouncing between temporary placements or group homes.
-Better Life Outcomes: With permanent family support, foster youth would experience higher graduation rates, better mental health, and increased access to higher education and employment—reducing long-term reliance on social services.
-Lower Rates of Homelessness & Incarceration: LA sees disproportionately high rates of homelessness and incarceration among former foster youth; successful adoption and fostering efforts would dramatically cut these numbers.
-Stronger Communities: When children grow up with love and guidance, they are more likely to become engaged, productive members of society—contributing to safer, more cohesive neighborhoods.
-A More Efficient Foster System