9 investigates: Finding resources for youth aging out of NC's foster care system

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Each year, hundreds of young people age out of North Carolina's foster care system.

Channel 9 learned that hundreds of foster youth are not getting the critical help they need despite the fact that the state is spending millions of tax dollars to help them get jobs and avoid jail and homelessness.

Something as simple as cooking in her own apartment is a pretty big deal for 20-year-old Karolan Aguilar, who spent more than six years in foster care before trying to make it in the real world alone.

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"They were like, so when you turn 18, there is no more of us. Soon as midnight strikes, it’s like Cinderella, everything disappeared," Aguilar said.

Aguilar said social workers did tell her about programs that would continue until she was 21.

“But at that time, I wasn't paying attention to it," Aguilar said.

Nichole St. Aimee Bonner, who oversees foster youth cases for Mecklenburg County, said one of her biggest challenges is trying to get teens aging out of foster care to plan for their futures.

"When they turn 18, they no longer want to engage with us,” Bonner said. “They don't want be to be involved in DHS (Department of Human Services), they want to be normal," said St. Aimee Bonner.

Last year, North Carolina expanded its program helping foster youth from 18 to 21 years old.

Among several changes, they no longer need to live in a foster home to benefit. They can live independently.

As long as they meet criteria, like going to school or working, they can receive a stipend and get help with housing and other resources until they're 21.

"It has been rather impressive to see young people take advantage of it,” Bonner said.

State data shows the majority of foster youth are not taking advantage of the program.

Nearly 1,600 could be eligible for it, but state data shows only 660 are using the services, equaling just 42 percent.

"I think there is probably some communication issue," said Trish Hobson, Executive Director of The Relatives.

The Relatives is a nonprofit that offers job and life skills training to at-risk youth.

"Before these programs were put in place, kids aging out of foster care were being put in the juvenile justice system,” Hobson said. “That's not good for our community. That means someone is getting robbed. Someone is getting hurt.”

When the state expanded its 18-to-21 program, Hobson thought they would need more beds.

Instead, she said they've had to actively recruit to fill their beds.

Bonner believes the state is headed in the right direction, but it could communicate more with young people to make sure they know this support is available.

"At one point, I did feel like I was going to become that person, homeless,” Aguilar said. “I realized I had a lot of opportunities.”

Social workers were able to help Aguilar get into school and an apartment and on a stable path forward.

Aguilar said she is thankful that when she reached out for help, the doors were still open.

Since 2017, the state has spent more than $5 million on the 18-to-21 program.

There are resources to help foster youth pay for college, housing, cars and more.

If you know foster youth who may be eligible, click HERE or contact your county's department of social services.

To learn more about Youth Villages program for older foster youth click here. People can also call the Charlotte office at (704) 510-5600.

Cox Media Group