Foster care offers a temporary sanctuary for children who, due to circumstances like abuse, neglect, or abandonment, cannot safely remain in their homes. Funded federally through title IV-E, this crucial system is administered locally across the United States, including 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and recognized tribal entities.
In 2021, the most recent data reveals the scope of this system: approximately 606,031 children experienced foster care in the U.S. This figure, compiled by the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), includes children already in care at the start of the fiscal year (October 1, 2020) and those who entered during the subsequent year. Looking at a single point in time, on September 30, 2021, the last day of the fiscal year, there were around 391,098 children in foster care.
AFCARS, established by the Department of Health and Human Services, serves as the national source of foster care and adoption statistics. It gathers data from all jurisdictions receiving title IV-E funds, tracking the flow of children into and out of foster care, adoptions finalized, and the number of children awaiting adoption. This comprehensive data collection provides vital insights into the foster care landscape.
A significant part of AFCARS’s reporting focuses on children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated and are waiting to be adopted. As of the end of fiscal year 2021, this number stood at 64,985 children. These are children who are legally free for adoption and seeking permanent homes.
Trends in Foster Care Numbers
Examining historical data reveals interesting trends in the number of children in foster care. For much of the last two decades, there was a consistent annual decline in the foster care population. However, this downward trend paused and reversed for a five-year period between 2013 and 2018, when numbers actually increased. Despite this temporary rise, the overall trajectory has generally been one of decreasing numbers of children in foster care over the long term.
In summary, while over 600,000 children experience foster care annually, approximately 391,098 children were in foster care on any given day in 2021, with 64,985 waiting for adoption. Understanding these figures and the trends within the foster care system is crucial for developing effective policies and support for vulnerable children and families.
