Impact of Financial Incentives for Transitional Age Foster Youth Entering Adulthood: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Impact of Financial Incentives for Transitional Age Foster Youth Entering Adulthood: A Systematic Literature Review By Christine Preciado Master of Social Work Study Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to research whether financial incentives provided to transitional-aged foster youth entering adulthood impacted their transition to adulthood. Methods: Six databases and twenty-two keywords were used to select nineteen peer-reviewed articles. A diverse set of keywords was utilized to find studies relevant to our research. Findings: The findings indicated that minority foster youth benefited from ILP programs through improved access to education, employment, and housing support. They also emphasized the need for ILP programs to address the unique needs of minority youth. Discussion: The findings show that the financial support provided by programs like ILP improves housing, education, and employment outcomes for foster youth but falls short of addressing the unique needs of minority youth. These results suggest the need for more culturally responsive and equity-focused services in child welfare. Keywords: transitional age foster youth, Independent Living Program, impact of financial incentives and outcomes