Workforce development experiences among older youth and young adults with foster care experience: A qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis

Abstract

Approximately 19,000 young people age out of foster care annually without achieving permanency in the United States. Young people with foster care experience face disproportionately high rates of unemployment and underemployment, creating barriers to achieving self-sufficiency. Using a qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis approach, this scoping review synthesizes qualitative research on workforce development experiences among transition-age youth with child welfare involvement. Four themes emerged: (1) the juggle and the journey, (2) skills development and employment-based learning opportunities, (3) a constant in the chaos and (4) aspirations for the future. The findings of this review have several implications for future practice, research, and policymaking.