CASA of Orange County recently conducted a survey of young adults who have aged out of the county’s foster care system to better understand how they are doing in key areas of their lives after emancipation. Each participant in this survey had the support of a CASA during their time in care.
The survey was designed around CASA’s HELP Model, which focuses on the core pillars of Health, Education, Life Skills, and Permanency (safe relationships and stable placement). This whole-child framework guides both advocates and staff in identifying needs, strengths, and opportunities that lead to long-term stability and brighter futures. By integrating the HELP Model into our training, reporting, and evaluation tools, we are strengthening our ability to measure what matters most—meaningful, lasting impact in the lives of youth.
Key Findings
Health and Well-Being
91% of respondents reported being in good to excellent health. 70–77% indicated they have goals for the future, stress management skills, and maintain positive feelings of self-worth.
Education and Employment
86% have earned a high school diploma or GED. More than 61% are employed and/or enrolled in or have completed post-secondary education.
Life Skills
55% felt prepared to be self-sufficient upon exiting the foster care system.
Permanency and Stability
83% of respondents reported living in stable and secure housing situations.
These young adults shared that their CASAs supported them across all four HELP categories—advocating for consistent healthcare, encouraging participation in extracurricular activities, supporting academic engagement, and helping build self-advocacy and financial literacy skills. Remarkably, 98% of the youth surveyed said their CASA contributed to their social-emotional development.
Looking ahead, CASA OC plans to expand and refine this survey to deepen our understanding of youth outcomes. Our new Salesforce-powered data system, Advocate Hub, will enable more robust tracking and analysis, helping us identify trends and enhance our impact in these core areas of our youth’s lives.