Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore what social workers are doing to help youth age out of the foster care system. This research project gathered data in a qualitative study from social workers and how they help youth gain the needed skills to achieve self-sufficiency before they age out at age twenty-one. The researcher was able to obtain ten interviews from interviewees across the state of Minnesota. From the interviews, six themes had been established and categorized as the following: resources, the model or framework used in the work, supports, relationships youth have, approaches centered on youth strengths and empowerment, struggles youth face and permanency. Further research is needed to look at how youth are fairing in the foster care system since the Fostering Connections and Adoptions Act of 2008. It is important to continue looking at research pertaining to foster care that helps the youth attain self-sufficiency.