WASHINGTON — New federal funding is being directed toward improving outcomes for young people aging out of foster care, a population advocates say is not being set up for success.

According to the National Foster Youth Institute, more than 23,000 teens age out of the foster care system each year. Once they turn 18, about 20 percent become homeless immediately. An even more troubling statistic: less than 3 percent go on to earn a college degree.

That is why more help could soon be on the way. Congressman Darin LaHood, who is the chairman of the federal Chafee system, which oversees foster care and foster youth, was recently at the White House, joining President Trump and the First Lady as 25 million dollars was secured to modernize the child welfare system and provide critical resources

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