Human Capital Accumulation

Human Capital Accumulation: A Proposed Measure and Theoretical Framework for Foster Youth Job Placement Intervention Strategies:There are no means of disentangling the effects of economic change on social welfare issues. Theories have evolved to account for changing economies driven by market forces and government interventions. One paradigm focuses upon differences in labor force productivity. Economists believe that one key difference is the individual’s human capital accumulation. Human capital accumulation is an investment strategy that focuses on educational attainment, the development of employment skills, and protecting safeguards for health (Becker, 1993). Those who do not accumulate sufficient human capital are less likely to successfully enter the workforce, obtain competitive employment, and earn a living wage. Certain groups in the United States continue to lag in accumulating human capital, including youth in foster care (Naccarato, Brophy, & Courtney, 2010). This chapter discusses human capital as a measure and theoretical framework for evaluating interventions to support the transition for youth in foster care to become healthy and productive adults.