Task Force Reviews Housing, Support for Youth Aging Out of Care

Members of Arkansas’s Ready for Life Task Force gathered to confront a difficult reality: many young people leaving foster care still lack the stable relationships, housing, transportation, and support systems needed to thrive in adulthood. But throughout the meeting, one theme remained clear — agencies, providers, and advocates across the state are coming together committed to building something better. 

The Ready for Life Task Force is working to develop a long-term strategy to help youth transitioning out of foster care successfully move into adulthood. Participants discussed early survey findings from youth currently connected to foster care, which further highlighted the importance of strengthening family and community connections long before a young person turns 18. 

The survey was distributed to youth ages 14–21 and continues through next month. The preliminary findings painted a picture of both resilience and unmet need. Young people expressed a strong desire to prepare for adulthood, particularly in areas like housing, employment, education, mental health, and independence. But many also reported feeling disconnected from the system and available resources and tools to support them. Youth identified mentors and consistent adult relationships as some of their greatest needs.

Members of the task force emphasized that the data reinforces what providers have already witnessed firsthand. “The fact that these youth were willing to speak their truth to us of what their life is like and what they recommend for other youth like them — this is outstanding information,” said Scott Bull of Immerse Arkansas, who is a member of the task force.

Relationships Matter as Much as Resources

Throughout the meeting, task force members returned to the importance of belonging and lifelong relationships.

DCFS Assistant Director Beki Dunagan, who was a case worker for many years, shared the story of a former foster youth she worked with. While she remains proud of his progress into adulthood, marriage, and fatherhood, she reflects on knowing he still lacks other connections that could have helped with the transition to adulthood. Her story underscored a larger conversation happening across the task force: that successful transitions to adulthood require more than services alone.

Several members noted that youth repeatedly voice a desire for “someone outside the system” they can depend on long term. They discussed the importance of kinship placements, mentors, trusted adults, and consistent relationships that continue beyond the foster care system itself. 

Housing Emerges as a Significant Challenge

Members described housing instability as one of the biggest barriers facing youth aging out of foster care. Participants noted that youth formerly in foster care are significantly more likely to experience homelessness than their peers. 

Task force members discussed their views of what safe, stable housing should look like for youth aging out of foster care — and how Arkansas can move beyond short-term solutions toward long-term stability, belonging, and community connection. They emphasized that housing is about far more than simply providing a roof overhead. Stable housing, they said, creates the foundation for nearly every other area of a young person’s life — including mental health, education, employment, relationships, and long-term independence.

Members discussed the importance of allowing youth to stay rooted in their home communities whenever possible, rather than being repeatedly displaced due to placement shortages. Frequent moves, they noted, can disrupt friendships, education, medical care, and a young person’s overall sense of identity and belonging.

They also focused on the importance of making information and resources easier to navigate. Members said many youth simply do not know what housing opportunities, support services, or community programs are available to them as they transition into adulthood. They discussed creating more centralized systems that would allow youth, providers, and families to more easily access housing information and support. 

Participants also highlighted the value of shared living environments, mentorship programs, and supportive housing models where young adults can learn life skills while remaining connected to positive adult relationships. Some discussed the need for more training and preparation for foster families, landlords, and providers so they better understand the emotional and behavioral challenges many youth face during transition years. 

One participant noted that youth who have experienced trauma may begin to pull away or “self-sabotage” when things start going well — not because they do not want stability, but because instability has often been their norm. Providers, they said, need support and training to respond with consistency rather than frustration. 

Rural housing challenges also emerged as a significant concern. Participants described limited job opportunities, transportation barriers, and a shortage of available housing in many parts of the state.

Building a Statewide Vision

The task force is currently in what organizers described as an “assessment phase,” gathering research, listening to youth, and conducting a statewide landscape analysis of available services and gaps. 

Subcommittees are studying topics including:

• Shared statewide outcome measurements

• Youth voice and advisory engagement

• Rural service challenges

• Existing gaps and assets

Members said the goal is not simply to create another report, but to build a long-term vision for how Arkansas can become “the best place in the nation to be a teen in care or age out.”

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