Why We Use Incentives

Incentives serve as tangible or intangible rewards given to inspire individuals or groups to act in specific ways. Salaries and bonuses act as incentives for employees, while high GPAs and exceptional sports performance incentivize students. When former foster youth face seemingly insurmountable challenges, we can motivate them to stay on the right path through incentives. Intrinsic motivation may develop gradually over time, but cannot be abruptly coerced. It is crucial to provide tangible and explicit acknowledgment for achieving goals.

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It's important to keep in mind that the adults who cared for these Transitional Age Youth did so with the incentive of monetary compensation. If others were compensated for their difficult experiences, it's reasonable to incentivize those who have worked hard to overcome their hardships.