Need a transition process for youth who age out of care.

"Our key message and primary recommendation: youth from care need to have as gradual and extended a transition process to adulthood as youth in the general population," says Deborah Rutman and Carol Hubberstey after a 30 month study of young people who age out of care in British Columbia.

A growing number of Canadians in their early 20s are living with their parents, says the researchers' report, but the majority of youth in this study did not live with their parents or other family members.

"What is needed is a rethinking of existing government policies, programs, and priorities, along with the role of communities and families in supporting youth from care," they conclude in their study. The report, When Youth Age Out of Care--Where To From There, was published by the University of Victoria School of Social Work.

The longitudinal study reports that the youth who came out of the care system as compared to the others of the same age:

* were far less likely to be living with their family;

* had a lower level of education;

* were more likely to be on income assistance at age 19;