Uncover the joys and challenges of fostering teenagers, and learn how you can make a lasting impact on a teen's life.
Article updated: August 14, 2025
When people think of foster care, younger children often come to mind. But the truth is, children of all ages are in need of loving foster parents — including many teenagers. In fact, teens make up a significant and often overlooked group within the foster care system.
As a foster parent, you may be surprised at the rewards and benefits of fostering teenagers. Not only does it mean helping a young adult navigate a difficult and uncertain time in their life, but it also means giving them a chance at a fulfilling, successful future.
As of 2023, 28 percent of children in foster care were between 11 and 16 years old, with an additional 6 percent at the age of 17 years old. This means a large portion of the foster care population is composed of teenagers and young adults.
Unfortunately, teenagers in foster care are especially vulnerable to negative outcomes as adults — with a higher likelihood of becoming jobless, homeless, and unable to maintain healthy relationships. In many cases, these outcomes are due to lack of preparation, skills, and stability during their important adolescent stage.
Teens in foster care also tend to struggle with past trauma, anxiety, and other issues with mental and behavioral health. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the presence of just one responsible and nurturing caregiver can provide lasting strength, resilience, and healing.
All children require love, care, and nurturing as they grow up. There is a need, more than ever, for foster parents to provide these qualities for teens.
The teenage years can be an exciting time for kids to gain more independence and find out who they are. Yet it’s also somewhat stressful as they navigate school, friends, activities, and decisions about the future.
For teenagers in foster care, this stress is likely to be heightened by past trauma and uncertainty about where they belong. That’s why foster parents can make such a difference in a young adult’s life through effective parenting approaches.
Building trust is a big step for each child in foster care. It might take a little more time with a teenager in foster care, but it's worth it!
Start by being open and honest. Take time to talk with your teen, answer their questions as best as you can, and truly hear what they have to say.
Teens in foster care have often faced past events that make trusting others difficult. Create a safe space for them so they feel free to share thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Keeping your promises is another big part of building trust with older kids in foster care. If you say you'll do something, follow through. This shows that you are reliable and trustworthy.
Teenagers in foster care need and deserve their privacy. Allow them to have an area where they can go to not be disturbed when they need time alone. Give them freedom to make daily choices to show you respect, their growing independence, and accountability.
Building trust with kids in foster care strengthens your relationship and helps in their healing process.
Making your home a welcoming space is key. It's where teens in foster care should feel safe, cared for, and valued.
Letting teens have their own living space helps them feel at home. Make sure that they have storage for their things and a comfortable place to relax, study, and sleep. If possible, allow them to choose colors and decorations for their room to give them a sense of ownership and belonging. This can also help them express who they are.
Be sure to include the teen in your care when it comes to family activities and decisions. Ask for their opinions and invite them to join whenever possible so they feel welcome and like a family member.
Teenagers in foster care are frequently at risk for poor academic performance due to difficult transitions and life circumstances. The U.S. Department of Education indicates that students who are in foster care are highly vulnerable to dropping out of school and unlikely to pursue higher education.
As a foster parent, you can make a huge difference in a teens academic and future success. This is so important as they transition to adulthood. Valuing and completing their education can significantly improve a teenager’s chances of personal and economic stability.
Here are a few ways you can impact and assist in their academic success:
Understandably, teenagers in foster care may feel discouraged or at a disadvantage when it comes to academics. As a foster parent, your support and assistance can help them prioritize their education as a path to a brighter future.
Foster parents have an amazing opportunity to support teens in foster care with their interests and personal growth. This is another way to build trust as well — by having conversations about what your teen enjoys or would like to pursue. They may discover new interests and be inspired just by talking with you.
Whether it’s athletics, music, science, art, gaming, or something else, foster parents can encourage teens in foster care to explore their passions. This is important for all teenagers in developing a sense of self, but especially vital to the development of self-esteem and self-confidence for older kids in foster care.
Foster parents demonstrate their belief in and value of teens in their care by supporting extracurricular activities and interests. This not only makes for a positive family experience, but it can have life-changing effects on the future for young adults in foster care.
Many kids in foster care lack adults in their lives who have modeled healthy behaviors, consistency, and patience. This can have lasting, negative effects on the way teenagers in foster care navigate relationships and interactions with others.
Showing consistency and patience toward the teen in your care goes a long way in creating a calm environment. It allows them to understand expectations and feel open to communicate. Most importantly, your patience and consistency will reinforce that you are there when they need you.
Prospective foster parents may have the misperception that it is hard to foster a teenager. While fostering any child comes with unique challenges, fostering teens can be particularly rewarding.
Older kids in foster care often come with complex histories, including experiences like neglect and multiple moves. Understandably, this can manifest as behavioral or emotional difficulties. However, teenagers in foster care can also have a greater level of expression and communication which allows for deeper connections.
Foster families can help teens in their care overcome challenges, prepare for adulthood, and begin to heal.
Adulthood and transition to independent living is a near reality for teens in foster care. Foster parents can help them learn important life skills that will benefit them and set them up for success.
Here are just some skills foster parents can teach teens in their care:
Teenagers often act out as a way of testing boundaries and expressing frustration. In these situations, foster parents can help by setting clear rules and expectations and rewarding healthy responses. Providing them with structure, guidance, and unconditional love will encourage a sense of calm and acceptance.
Open communication is also important. Talk to them about making good choices and offer guidance during tough times. This can be a helpful way to manage emotions and behaviors.
Sadly, many teens in foster care have experienced trauma. They may still carry sadness, uncertainty, and painful memories. Foster parents can help by encouraging safe, open communication, and seeking professional assistance as well to allow their teen to process these experiences and emotions.
Being part of the healing process for a teenager coping with trauma can be one of the most rewarding aspects of foster parenting.
Forming a sense of identity and belonging can be a big challenge for any adolescent. For older kids in foster care, it can be even harder. They might struggle to understand who they are, who they might be, and where they come from.
Foster parents can help these teens explore their identity. This includes encouraging connections with their roots, culture, and heritage. Self-discovery and acceptance can make a huge difference for kids in foster care and finding their identity.
While specific requirements can vary by state and organization, there are common qualifications for those interested in becoming a foster parent. In general, you must be at least 21 years old, financially stable, in good overall health, and pass comprehensive background checks.
A thorough home study is also required, which involves interviews, home inspections to ensure a safe environment, and often participation from all household members.
Furthermore, all foster parents must complete pre-service sessions designed to prepare them for the unique needs of children in foster care, including teenagers.
Fostering teens with special emotional or behavioral needs requires an extra layer of support, and thankfully, resources are available.
Many organizations provide preservice sessions in trauma-informed care and behavior management. Foster parents can also access therapeutic services, such as individual or family therapy, and behavioral health screenings.
Financial stipends are often higher for children in foster care with elevated needs to help cover additional costs. In addition, there are many online and in-person community groups that offer support with shared experiences and helpful strategies.
As teenagers in foster care approach adulthood, typically around age 18-21 and depending on the state, the focus shifts to "transition planning" or "independent living" programs. The goal is to equip them with skills needed for self-sufficiency outside of foster care.
This includes assistance with education, job training, housing searches, financial literacy, and connection to community resources.
However, despite these efforts, outcomes for young adults who age out of foster care without a permanent family or support system are often less than ideal. This underscores the vital role foster families play, even temporarily, in providing stability and a sense of belonging during the formative teenage years.
Fostering teenagers brings unique rewards and the opportunity to form lasting relationships and memories. Teens in foster care are among the most vulnerable and deserving of loving foster parents and a welcoming home during their time of uncertainty and transition.
Mentor Foster Care is here to support you every step of the way. If you're ready to open your home and heart to a teenager in need, discover how Mentor Foster Care services can help you become a vital part of their journey toward a brighter future.
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