The program is part of an intensifying push to help the rising number of teens who graduate from foster care without support. That number increased 53% from 17,310 in 1998 to 26,517 in 2006, the most recent year for which figures are available.

"More than 3,000 teens in or recently out of foster care have saved at least $3.1 million, according to a study out today by the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative," USA Today reports. "The program is part of an intensifying push to help the rising number of teens who graduate from foster care without support. They can use their savings to pay for college, housing, health care or a car. The foundation helps teens who 'age out' - who become too old for foster care - at age 18 in most states. Foster kids who leave the system at 18 are more likely than other young adults to become homeless, pregnant, unemployed or imprisoned."