Hireafosteryouth.org is a national grassroots campaign to inspire the nation to create a pipeline of competitive, job-ready foster youth for employment across a variety of industries and fields.
New Federal Legislation Will Improve Employment Outcomes for Transition Age Youth
To help support new job opportunities for foster youth, Congress has just introduced the Improved Employment Outcomes for Foster Youth Act. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is the primary tax incentive designed to encourage private sector employers to hire certain populations with significant employment challenges. About 50% of youth transitioning out of foster care are unemployed at age 24. Even those who are employed attain a median income of just $7,500 per year. This new federal legislation makes transition age foster youth categorically eligible for the WOTC, enlisting employers as allies in improving employment outcomes.