ABSTRACT
The social relationships of youth transitioning out of foster care into adulthood are examined. This examination includes a systematic review of existing work, both theory and research, creating a comprehensive picture of the preparation of youth for leaving care, and what happens to their relationships after they leave care. The problems that foster youth have with the transitioning out of foster care are documented, but a resiliency characteristic that transitioning youth possess is that they are likely to be ensconced in social networks that are a possible source of social support. The research converges on regarding mentors, particularly natural mentors, as a means of meeting the need that transitioning youth have for a relationship with a supportive adult. Strategies for improving after-care outcomes are provided. An argument is made for having a more realistic view of preparing youth to leave care by replacing the independence paradigm with an interdependence perspective. This perspective calls for helping youth construct supportive relationships with others, and extending foster care supports into early adulthood. This extension with continued support is viewed as congruent with what that most transition age youth receive who have never been in foster care receive from their parents.
