Alarming Foster Care Statistics
These facts have been gathered from many sources. The reporting organization is listed at the end of each paragraph.

There are more than half a million children and youth in the U.S. Foster care system, a 90% increase since 1987. Three of 10  
of the nation’s homeless are former foster children. A recent study has found that 12-18 months after leaving foster care:
27% of the males and 10% of the females had been incarcerated
33% were receiving public assistance
37% had not finished high school
50% were unemployed
*Casey Family Programs National Center for Resource Family Support

Children in foster care are three to six times more likely than children not in care to have emotional, behavioral and        
developmental problems, including conduct disorders, depression, difficulties in school and impaired social relationships.  
Some experts estimate that about 30% of the children in care have marked or severe emotional problems. Various studies
have indicated that children and young people in foster care tend to have limited education and job skills, perform poorly in
school compared to children who are not in foster care, lag behind in their education by at least one year, and have lower
educational attainment than the general population.
*Casey Family Programs National Center for Resource Family Support

80 percent of prison inmates have been through the foster care system.
*National Association of Social Workers

Children are 11 times more likely to be abused in State care than they are in their own homes.
*National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN)

Children died as a result of abuse in foster care 5.25 times more often than children in the general population. 2.1 percent of
all child fatalities took place in foster care. While this may seem like a relatively low number, we must consider the contrast in
population between children in the general population versus children in foster care. In 1997, there were nearly 71 million
children in the general population (99.6%), but only 302 thousand in state care (.4%). As state care is supposed to be a 'safe
haven', the number of fatalities should be less or at least equal to what it is in the general population of children. By this
standard, there should have been less than
.4% of child fatalities occurring in foster care, however, there was 5.25 times that amount. (31 states reporting)
*CPS Watch Inc
Where & How to get involved
Start today, making a difference anyway you can. Tips to start:

  • Call, your local foster centers and find out their needs
  • Donate money to your favorite foster charities
  • Volunteer your time and become a buddy
  • Sponsor a particular child  
  • Contribute clothing, furniture, or school supplies
  • Join the Foster Buddies Network by giving your time or donation
  • Adopt and share your life!
Links for Fostering or Adoption
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reserved.
"Giving children a reason to smile"