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A B S T R AC TThis paper presents data about the emotional, behavioural and substance abuse disorders of youth in foster care and former recipients of foster care ('alumni') in the USA. The prevalence rates of these groups are compared to those of the youth and young adults in the US general population. The implications of these data for policy and program design are discussed.

Case records and interviews concerning educational achievements of 1087 foster care alumni are presented. Youth were served by a voluntary agency in 23 communities across the USA between 1966 and 1998. Because the alumni were older than most foster care follow‐up studies, a more extensive picture of educational achievement was possible. High school graduation and college enrolment rates were comparable to or even greater than those of the general population, but the number of alumni completing high school with a Graduate Equivalency Diploma and the college dropout rates were a concern. Predictors of high school completion while in foster care, such as fewer placement changes, extracurricular activities and independent living training, are presented, along with recommendations for improving educational and vocational preparation.

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Public sector investment in higher-quality foster care services could substantially improve the long-term mental and physical health of foster care alumni.

Foster-care programs are beginning to use standardized assessment methods consistently as part of pro gram and case planning, as well as for documenting the clinical status of children in care. A number o studies have now been published that describe the psychosocial functioning of children in foster care using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). This article reports findings on intake CBCL scores for a group of children 4 to 18 years old served in long-term family foster care by The Casey Family Program an agency serving children in 13 states.These CBCL scores are compared with scores reported for other samples of children in family foster care and residential treatment. Overall rates of serious behavior prob lems for children in care are estimated from the available data.The implications of the findings for clinical and program planning and future research using the CBCL are discussed.

A growing number of children over age 10 reside in and emancipate from foster care every year. Older children face many of the same challenges as younger children, but they also have unique developmental needs. This article discusses older children in the child welfare system and finds: Approximately 47% of children in foster care are over age 11, and in 2001, 20% of children leaving foster care were over age 16. Older children need permanency, stability, and a "forever family." Maintaining connections with siblings and other kin can be a crucial resource for older children as they transition to independence. Former foster children are at higher risk for a number of negative outcomes, such as substance abuse, homelessness, and low educational attainment, but the research on older youth is limited and often does not consider the strengths these youth exhibit. Much can be done to better serve older children while they are in care and to provide them with better opportunities as they transition out of the system. Programs that draw on community resources, promote a system of care, link children to mentors, and teach them life skills hold promise for improving the lives of these children.

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