Foster Care

The U.S. foster care system provides 24-hour substitute care for children removed from their parents or guardians due to abuse, neglect, or family crises, serving over 340,000 children and youth daily. Administered by states with federal support through the Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau, it ensures safety, meets basic needs, and pursues permanency via reunification, adoption, or kinship care.

Understanding Foster Care

Foster care offers temporary homes through licensed family homes, group facilities, or kinship placements while caseworkers oversee safety, schooling, and medical care. Children enter via child protective services, with an average stay of 18 months, though about 15,000 youth age out annually needing transition support.

Becoming a Foster Parent

Individuals or couples can become foster parents by completing training, background checks, home studies, and certification through state agencies, providing nurturing environments and receiving reimbursements for children’s needs.

Resources and Support

Families and youth access federal programs like Chafee vouchers for education, housing, and employment. Foster children automatically qualify for Head Start, offering early education and development services.