Addressing Employment Barriers for Black Male Fostered Youth: A Qualitative Analysis of a Job Search Intervention

ABSTRACT Unemployment rates are upward of 60% for youth in foster care transitioning out of the foster care system, with the average individual making less than enough to cover basic needs at around $25,000/year. Individuals from foster homes are more likely to experience homelessness, substance abuse, incarceration, and mental health disorders, directly related to their inability to find work. According to a national, multistate study, unemployment rates for former foster youth are significantly higher for Black males, compared to both their White fostered and non‐fostered counterparts. Given the critical need to address unemployment barriers for Black male youth in foster care, we analyze qualitative data to highlight and further understand Black male experiences ( n = 9) in Project P.A.T.H. 2.0 , a job search psychoeducational group intervention. Participants engaged in three psychoeducational workshops utilizing real‐life simulated scenarios, including (a) emotional regulation and conflict resolution to address high‐stress situations related to work, (b) goal setting and job search within the current job market, and (c) live mock interviews with personalized feedback. Identified themes of this research inform interventions and practices for professionals working in foster and community agencies, school counselors, and other career specialists who provide career services to Black males transitioning from the foster care system.