Foster care is a state-managed program that provides temporary substitute homes for children whose families cannot provide a safe and nurturing environment for them. Children who enter foster care may be reunited with their families if their safety and stability are assured, be adopted, seek emancipation, or begin to live independently.

Children in foster care
According to the latest report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children & Families, there were 510,000 children in foster care at the end of fiscal year 2006.^1,2

• The median age for children in foster care was just under 10 years.
• Children faced a median stay in foster care of more than 15 months.
• 46% of children were placed in non-relative foster family homes, with an additional 24% placed with related foster families.
• Just under 50% of children had a case goal of reunification with their parent(s) or principal caregiver(s).
• During Fiscal Year 2006, 303,000 children entered foster care, while 289,000 exited.
• 129,000 children under the age of 16 were waiting to be adopted as of September 30, 2006. These children had adoption as their case goal and/or their parents' right to reunification had been terminated.

In Georgia, where Communities for Children is located, more than 13,000 children were in the custody of the state Division of Family and Children Services in the same period. 5,440 of these children, or 41%, had been diagnosed with serious emotional/behavioral disorders, often complicated with medical issues.

Foster Care Programs
State foster care programs offer a variety of services to children in care, their birth families, and their foster families. Case managers' responsibilities include:

• Working with birth families on meeting goals outlined in case plans for reunification
• Selecting and placing the child in a suitable home or other placement option
• Supporting foster parents in their role as agency partners in providing care for children
• Working with other community agencies to meet the ongoing needs of children
• Keeping the court informed about the status of cases

Children with medical issues and emotional or behavioral disorders may receive therapeutic care while in foster placements. Those with especially severe mental or physical problems may be placed in institutions or medical facilities rather than in foster or group homes.

Some children stay in foster care throughout their teen years and into adulthood. Independent Living programs help prepare capable teens ages 16-21 for independence and adulthood, offering services including financial assistance for college and technical school, help in finding a job, and life skills such as housekeeping and budgeting.

More Information
For information about foster care programs and becoming a foster parent, consult the National Foster Care & Adoption Directory maintained by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families.

In Georgia, you may also call the toll-free foster parent support and intake line (1-888-310-8260) for foster parents and others wanting information.

¹http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/afcars/trends.htm
²http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/afcars/tar/report14.htm