What do the numbers look like?

Foster Care StatisticsNumbers and Trends
Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway
Year Published: 2007
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. As of September 30, 2005, there were an estimated 513,000 children in foster care.
Entries. During FY 2005, 311,000 children entered foster care.
Exits. During FY 2005, 287,000 children exited foster care.
Trends. Between FY 2000 and FY 2005, the number of children in care as of September 30 dropped, while entries into and exits from foster care during those years increased.

Placement Settings
Children in foster care may be placed in a variety of settings and may change placements among or within the different types of settings.
Point in Time. The estimated 513,000 children in foster care as of September 30, 2005, were in the following types of placements:
46 percent in nonrelative foster family homes
24 percent in relative foster homes
10 percent in institutions
8 percent in group homes
4 percent in preadoptive homes
4 percent on trial visits (short visits with prospective foster or adoptive families)
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 2005.

Permanency Goals
The ultimate goal for children in care is permanency with caring parents. Permanency goals refer to the goals for permanent placement that are reported to AFCARS.3
Point in Time. Of the estimated 513,000 children in foster care as of September 30, 2005:
51 percent had a goal of reunification with parent(s) or primary caregiver(s)
20 percent had a goal of adoption
7 percent had a goal of living with a relative or guardian
7 percent had a goal of long-term foster care
6 percent had a goal of emancipation4
8 percent had not yet had a permanency goal established
Trends. The most dramatic change between FY 2000 and FY 2005 occurred in the proportion of children with a goal of reunification, which posted an increase of 10 percentage points. Also of note was the 9-point decrease in the "No Goal Established" category. This may be partially due to improved data reporting practices.

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 287,000 children who exited foster care during FY 2005:
54 percent were reunited with parent(s) or primary caregiver(s)
18 percent were adopted
15 percent went to live with a relative or guardian
9 percent were emancipated
4 percent had other outcomes5
Trends. The percentage of children reunited with family decreased by 3 points between FY 2000 and FY 2005. Overall, the percentage of children exiting foster care to a permanent family (i.e., reunification, adoption, or living with a relative or guardian) showed only small variations across the two periods.

Length of Stay
Length of stay in foster care refers to the amount of time between entering and exiting foster care. It may be days, months, or years, depending on a number of factors.
Exits. Of the estimated 287,000 children who exited foster care during FY 2005:
17 percent had been in care less than 1 month
33 percent had been in care for 1 to 11 months
22 percent had been in care for 12 to 23 months
11 percent had been in care for 24 to 35 months
9 percent had been in care for 36 to 59 months
8 percent had been in care for 5 or more years
Trends. The median amount of time children spent in foster care remained stable between FY 2000 and FY 2005 at 12.0 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 23 months in FY 2005, compared to FY 2000.

Age
Children can enter foster care at any age, from infancy up to age 18 years.6
Point in Time. The median age of the children in foster care on September 30, 2005, was 10.6 years.7
Entries. The median age of children entering foster care during FY 2005 was 7.7 years.
Exits. The median age of children exiting foster care during FY 2005 was 9.7 years.
Trends. The median age at entry and exit decreased between FY 2000 and FY 2005, while the median age of all children in care at a given point in time increased very slightly.

Race and Ethnicity
AFCARS tracks children's race or ethnicity. Using U.S. Bureau of Census standards, children of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Beginning in FY 2000, children could be identified with more than one race designation.
Point in Time. Of the estimated 513,000 children in foster care as of September 30, 2005:
41 percent were White/Non-Hispanic
32 percent were Black/Non-Hispanic
18 percent were Hispanic
8 percent were other races or ethnic origins
Trends. The percentage of Black/Non-Hispanic children in care as of September 30 dropped 7 percentage points (from 39 to 32 percent) between FY 2000 and FY 2005, while the percentage of White Non-Hispanic children and the percentage of Hispanic children each rose 3 points. Percentages for other race and ethnicity categories remained the same.
Entries. Of the estimated 311,000 children who entered foster care during FY 2005:
47 percent were White/Non-Hispanic
26 percent were Black/Non-Hispanic
18 percent were Hispanic
9 percent were other races or ethnic origins
Trends. The percentages of White/Non-Hispanic and Hispanic children entering foster care increased and the percentages of Black/Non-Hispanic and other races decreased between FY 2000 and FY 2005.
Exits. Of the estimated 287,000 children who exited foster care during FY 2005:
45 percent were White/Non-Hispanic
28 percent were Black/Non-Hispanic
17 percent were Hispanic
9 percent were other races or ethnic origins
Trends. Changes in the racial composition of children exiting foster care between FY 2000 and FY 2005 included a decrease in the percentage of Black/Non-Hispanic children and an increase in the percentage of Hispanic children and children of other races or ethnic origins.

Gender
AFCARS numbers have consistently shown a slightly greater percentage of boys than girls in foster care.
Point in Time. Of the estimated 513,000 children in foster care as of September 30, 2005, 52 percent were male and 48 percent were female.
Trends. This reflects the same percentage breakdown by gender as was found in FY 2000.