Chapter 10: Leaving Home Again:

Abstract

Young people emancipating from foster care are in the process of leaving home again. In addition to tangible independent living skills, these young people require assistance with the emotional, intangible aspects of emancipation including reliving the separation experience and confusing about their identity. Foster parents can be trained to assist youth in the emacipation process by understanding that preparation of the young person will often lead to a reactivation of earlier losses, maladaptive responses to separation and rejection, reunion fantansies, and may reactivate emotional scar tissue which has previously helped the young person with their loss experiences. Preparation of the young person for emancipation involves teamwork among social workers, therapists, and foster parents, as well as group experiences for the emancipating youth. Foster parents and youth may also be encouraged to maintain post-emancipation relationships.