Examining Prevalence and Predictors of Food Insecurity for Transition-Age Youth Transitioning Out of Foster Care - 2024
Transition-age youth with foster care involvement (TAY) face significant risks for food insecurity and other hardships in early adulthood. Despite the prevalence of food insecurity in the U.S., negative outcomes associated with food insecurity among young adults, and the compounding vulnerabilities of TAY, few studies have examined food insecurity among TAY. This study examines the prevalence, risk, and protective factors of food insecurity among TAY at different points of their lives using representative survey data of youth transitioning out of foster care in California. We find that about 30% of study participants were food insecure at ages 19, 21, and 23. We also identify multiple risk and protective factors associated with being food insecure, such as TAY’s sexual identity and receipt of public benefits. The results of our study offer life-stage-specific recommendations and contributes to the emerging and important body of work that can inform both practice and policy in child welfare and other social policy areas that may address food security concerns in the U.S.