Information & Statistics

Statistics
There are currently over half a million children in the foster care system in the United States today. On average, a child who enters care will remain in foster care for 32 months, and only about half will return to their parents. For more statistical information, visit the U.S. Government's AFCARS website.

Transitioning from Care
Every year, approximately 18,000 youth will emancipate — or "age-out"— from the foster care system when they reach age 18 or finish high school. Youth in foster care often do not get the help they need with high school completion, employment, accessing health care, continued educational opportunities, housing and transitional living arrangements. Studies of youth who have left foster care have shown they are more likely than those in the general population to not finish high school, be unemployed, and be dependent on public assistance. Many find themselves in prison, homeless, or parents at an early age.

Independent Living
The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 created a new federal commitment to helping foster children make a safe, healthy transition to living on their own. The law established the John J. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. Visit Connect for Kids for more information about this program.

Foster Parenting
A variety of complex social and economic factors have contributed in recent years to a steady increase in the number of children entering foster care. Between 1984 and 1993, the number of children in foster care has increased by 61 percent, while the number of non-relative foster parents available to care for children steadily declined. The result has been a shortage of foster parents to care for these youth. If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, visit FosterClub's foster parenting web page.