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eGuide Archives: Foster Care
Foster Care
http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Pages/default.aspx National facts about children in foster care from http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/foster.cfm. Total Population: Most children are placed temporarily in foster care due to parental abuse or neglect. On September 30, 2006, there were an estimated 510,000 children in foster care. Almost a quarter (24 percent) were in relative homes, and nearly half (46 percent) were in non-relative foster family homes. Almost half (49 percent) had a case goal of reunification with their families. The percentage of children who left the system to be reunited with their families or placed with relatives remained about the same from 2000 to 2006 (70 percent and 69 percent, respectively). Almost half of the children (49 percent) who left foster care in FY 2006 were in care for less than 1 year. Children In, Entering, and Exiting Care These numbers give a broad picture of the number of children in the foster care system during a specific fiscal year. Point in Time. On September 30, 2006, there were an estimated 510,000 children in foster care. Entries. During FY 2006, 303,000 children entered foster care. Exits. During FY 2006, 289,000 children exited foster care. Trends. Between FY 2000 and FY 2006, the number of children in care on September 30 dropped, while entries into and exits from foster care during those years increased. 
Placement Settings Children in foster care live in a variety of placement settings and may move among or between settings while in care. For example, a child may move from a group home to a relative foster home. Point in Time. The estimated 510,000 children in foster care on September 30, 2006, were in the following types of placements: 46 percent in non-relative foster family homes 24 percent in relative foster homes 10 percent in institutions 7 percent in group homes 3 percent in pre-adoptive homes 5 percent on trial home visits (Situations in which the State retains supervision of a child and the child returns home on a trial basis, for an unspecified period of time, are considered a discharge from foster care after 6 months.) 2 percent had run away 1 percent in supervised independent living Trends. Placement type on September 30 remained relatively unchanged between FY 2000 and FY 2006. 
Permanency Goals The preferred goal for children in care is permanency with caring parents. Permanency goals refer to the goals for permanent placement that are reported to AFCARS. Point in Time. Of the estimated 510,000 children in foster care on September 30, 2006: 49 percent had a goal of reunification with parent(s) or primary caregiver(s) 23 percent had a goal of adoption 8 percent had a goal of living with a relative or guardian 9 percent had a goal of long-term foster care 6 percent had a goal of emancipation 6 percent had not yet had a permanency goal established Trends. Due to a significant improvement in the quality of data on permanency goals since 2000, a comparison between the two years is not provided. Outcomes The outcome statistics for children leaving foster care are somewhat reflective of the percentages for the permanency goals (see above), especially for reunification and adoption. Exits. Of the estimated 289,000 children who exited foster care during FY 2006: 53 percent were reunited with parent(s) or primary caregiver(s) 17 percent were adopted 16 percent went to live with a relative or guardian 9 percent were emancipated 4 percent had other outcomes Trends. The percentage of children who left the system for adoption stayed the same from FY 2000 to FY 2006 (17 percent), as did the percentage of children who left the system to be reunited with their families or placed with relatives (70 percent in FY 2000 and 69 percent in FY 2006). 
Length of Stay Length of stay in foster care refers to the amount of time between entering and exiting foster care. Exits. Of the estimated 289,000 children who exited foster care during FY 2006: 15 percent had been in care less than 1 month 34 percent had been in care for 1 to 11 months 23 percent had been in care for 12 to 23 months 12 percent had been in care for 24 to 35 months 9 percent had been in care for 36 to 59 months 7 percent had been in care for 5 or more years Trends. The median amount of time children spent in foster care remained relatively stable between FY 2000 (12.0 months) and FY 2006 (12.2 months). However, when the time periods are broken down, it becomes apparent that fewer children were in foster care less than 1 month or longer than 3 years and more children were in foster care from 1 to 35 months in FY 2006, compared to FY 2000. 
Age Children can enter foster care at any age, from infancy up to age 18 years, and most exit by the time they are 18 years old. Point in Time. The median age of the children in foster care on September 30, 2006, was 10.2 years. Entries. The median age of children entering foster care during FY 2006 was 7.5 years. Exits. The median age of children exiting foster care during FY 2006 was 9.5 years. Trends. The median age at entry and exit decreased between FY 2000 and FY 2006. The largest decrease was among the entries (from 8.8 to 7.5 years of age). There was a slightly smaller decrease among the exits (from 10.2 to 9.5 years of age). 
Gender AFCARS numbers have consistently shown a slightly greater percentage of boys than girls in foster care. Point in Time. Of the estimated 510,000 children in foster care on September 30, 2006, 52 percent were male and 48 percent were female. Trends. The same ratio of male to female children (52 percent to 48 percent, respectively) was found in both FY 2000 and FY 2006. Updated Trends Newer information, based on data submitted from the states by October 9, 2009 and summarized in the table below is found at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/afcars/trends.htm. 
Reminder of the week: Even if you don't have the time necessary to become a foster parent yourself, there are things that you can do with a spare hour or even just a few minutes to enrich the lives of a child in need in foster care. No matter how much time you have to give, you can do something positive that will change a lifetime for a young person in foster care. fcm/GetInvolved/ChangeALifeTime fcm/GetInvolved/ChangeALifeTime/Minutes Minutes fcm/GetInvolved/ChangeALifeTime/Hours Hours fcm/GetInvolved/ChangeALifeTime/Weeks Weeks fcm/GetInvolved/ChangeALifeTime/More more time |
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