The Adolescent Brain: new research and its implications for young people transitioning from foster care

From the Executive Summary

Many disciplines have contributed to the knowledge base regarding what enables young people in foster care to succeed. Now, neuroscience has added critical data to that base by revealing that in adolescence, the brain experiences a period of major development comparable to that of early childhood.

Among the implications of the new data is this: Adolescents must take on distinct developmental tasks in order to move through emerging adulthood and become healthy, connected, and productive adults—and young people in foster care often lack the supports needed to complete these tasks.

Source: Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative

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The Adolescent Brain: new research and its implications for young people transitioning from foster care.