The realities of a group of young adults after aging out of foster care in northern British Columbia.

Youth age out of the foster care system in British Columbia when they reach 19 years old. At this time, young adults are no longer eligible for many of the services and supports they received while in foster care. This qualitative study explored the experiences and realities of six former youth in care. Content analysis and a deductive approach were used to analyze the data, identifying manifest and latent themes. The findings of the study identified various struggles for the participants, while they were in foster care, and after leaving foster care. Challenges that this group have faced after aging out of care include: lack of stable housing, insufficient food, lack of education, substance abuse, and unemployment. Recommendations derived from the interviews were identified to improve service planning and provision for youth aging out of care. --Leaf iii.