In the United States, not every child can live in a household with their biological parents or guardians. Instead, sometimes children may need to be placed in foster care, an intricate safety net that consists of various programs working in tandem with the U.S. government to provide a safe environment for youth. So, how does foster care work to achieve this goal? Keep reading to learn more about the foster care system and its impact on children today.
What is Foster Care?
Foster care is a temporary arrangement where kids live with relatives, foster parents or in designated facilities for a short or long period of time. This occurs when their biological parents cannot meet their basic needs. This allows parents time to “press pause” and regroup with the ultimate goal being reunification.
In the U.S., there are nearly 400,000 children in the foster care system. Children might get adopted by their foster parents or move from one foster home to another, which can cause a great deal of distress and trauma, leading to poor outcomes. Understanding how the foster care system works is essential for anyone considering becoming a foster parent or wanting to support children in need.
How Do Children End Up in Foster Care?
Children are taken into state custody when their parents are unable to care for them due to emergency situations such as abuse, neglect, incarceration, substance abuse, or mental health struggles. Placement is typically arranged through government or social service agencies, ensuring children are placed in safe environments while plans for reunification or permanent care are developed. Understanding how children enter care also helps prospective foster families prepare for the realities of fostering.
Most children enter the foster care system at the average age of 7 and a majority stay in the system anywhere from 12 to 20 months. Fostering is for newborns, as well as those 18 years and older, depending on the state. In DC, this age limit is extended to 21.
Children in foster care come from diverse backgrounds, and some demographics are disproportionately represented because of broader social and economic challenges in their communities. In 2022, of the foster youth in Washington, DC, around 80% were Black and more foster children were female (54%) compared to male (46%).
How Does Foster Care Work?
The foster care system is a complicated web that consists of local, state and federal agencies that support the well-being and safety of children. Children can be connected to programs and services after a report of suspicion of abuse or another form of child neglect.
Family courts can also play a central role in guiding the direction of each foster care case. They decide when a child must be removed from their home and placed with a foster family, then continue monitoring the case to determine if family reunification can safely occur. By reviewing services, timelines, and the needs of the child, the court works to promote stable and appropriate outcomes.
The Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) in DC follows evidence-based strategies and removes children from the home only as a last resort. Whenever possible, the agency prioritizes placement with relatives before seeking an outside fostering option. A caseworker, along with foster parents, birth parents, and the child, often forms a team that works together toward the child’s best interest. This collaborative approach helps guide decisions about services, visitation, and long-term plans. This is an example of how foster care works in practice: agencies strive to provide children with a nurturing environment and aim for safe reunification with their biological parents whenever possible.
Certain children may also be a good fit for a group home. A group home is a program of fostering children in similar situations live together under supervision. Many group homes have an emphasis on building life skills and helping older youth prepare for adulthood and success.
What are Group Homes in Foster Care?
In addition to traditional foster care placements, group foster homes offer a unique approach to providing a supportive environment for children in need. These homes bring together children facing similar challenges, creating a community where they can support and learn from each other under supervised care. Group homes often emphasize life skills development, preparing older youth for independence and success as they transition into adulthood.
Unlike typical foster homes, which usually accommodate one or a few foster children in a family setting, group foster homes house multiple children in a communal living arrangement. This foster family setting allows for increased social interaction, peer support, and structured activities tailored to the group’s needs. Group homes may also have specialized staff or programs to address specific challenges faced by the children they serve, contributing to a holistic approach to care within the foster care system.
What Do Children Experience in Foster Care?
For a child, entering foster care can be a rollercoaster of emotions. They may experience grief and loss from being separated from their family, alongside fear and anxiety about the unknown. At the same time, there can be hope and excitement for new possibilities. Foster children may live with foster families, relatives, or in group homes, each with its own unique dynamics and routines.
While adjusting to new environments and building trust with caregivers can be challenging, foster care also offers opportunities for growth and healing. Children can access resources like therapy, education, and healthcare, and they have the chance to form new relationships and build a sense of belonging. The ultimate goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where children can thrive, whether through reunification with their family, adoption, or other permanency options.
Types of Foster Care Homes
When people ask what is foster care or how does foster care work, it’s important to understand that there isn’t just one kind of placement. The foster care system provides several types of homes and arrangements designed to meet the diverse needs of children and families. Exploring the different types of fostering helps potential foster parents and community members see the many ways they can get involved and support children.
- Kinship Care
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- In this arrangement, children are placed with relatives or close family friends. Kinship care helps maintain family connections and cultural traditions while providing a safe and familiar environment.
- Traditional Foster Homes
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- These homes are licensed foster parents who welcome children into their households. They provide day-to-day care, structure, and stability for children while longer-term solutions are explored.
- Therapeutic or Treatment Foster Care
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- Some children require additional support due to behavioral, emotional, or medical needs. Therapeutic foster homes are specially trained to provide a higher level of care, often with the help of social workers and healthcare providers.
- Group Homes and Residential Care
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- For older youth or children who need more structured support, group homes or residential facilities may be the best option. These settings focus on life skills development, counseling, and preparation for adulthood.
Each of these foster care types plays a vital role in supporting children when their biological families cannot safely care for them. Understanding these options helps explain the broader foster care meaning — providing safety, stability, and pathways to brighter futures.
Common Questions About Foster Care
Foster Parent Meaning & How Do You Foster a Child?
People often ask what fostering means. It refers to opening your home and taking on the responsibility of caring for a child temporarily while supporting their emotional and physical needs. A foster parent typically needs to undergo some sort of training and certain requirements to be eligible for fostering. They can be relatives of the child or simply members of the community who want to open their homes up to children in need. If you’re considering becoming a foster parent, you can speak to a social worker from the Child and Family Services Agency to see if it’ll be a good fit for you.
Foster Parent Requirements
Foster parent requirements may differ depending on the state, but in DC there are several fostering eligibility guidelines and relevant legislation that foster parents must meet, such as:
- A minimum age requirement of 21 with no maximum age
- Foster parents must complete 30 hours of training
- Foster parents must be legal residents or U.S. citizens
It’s also important to note if you’re adopting or plan on fostering a child, there may be certain legal fees involved. Financial assistance and funding may be available if you foster through CFSA.
What is the Goal of Foster Care?
Foster care aims primarily to ensure children live in stable, lifelong families by providing a safe and nurturing environment. While often a temporary arrangement, foster care focuses on family reunification when possible, or finding permanent solutions such as placement with relatives or adoption to support the child’s long-term well-being.
- Provide Safety and Stability: The primary focus is to offer a secure and stable environment for children who cannot remain with their biological parents.
- Ensure Physical and Emotional Well-being: Foster care strives to meet the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of children, promoting their overall health and development.
- Support Family Reunification: The ultimate goal is to work towards reuniting children with their biological parents whenever it is safe and feasible to do so.
- Prepare for Adulthood: Foster care provides resources and support to help children develop essential life skills, education, and emotional resilience, preparing them for a successful transition to adulthood.
- Promote Positive Outcomes: By offering nurturing care and addressing individual needs, foster care aims to improve outcomes for children in terms of education, health, and well-being.
These objectives collectively contribute to creating a supportive and nurturing environment for children in foster care, with the overarching goal of ensuring their safety, well-being, and successful future.
How Long Do Children Stay in Foster Care?
According to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System’s September 2021 data, there are nearly 400,000 children in foster care. Foster youth spend anywhere from as little as one month to as much as two years in the system. This varies greatly on the child’s unique situation, with some children spending three to four years or more in the foster care system.
What Happens When Kids Leave Foster Care?
Once children “age out” of foster care, they face more obstacles than their peers. When the support services provided through the foster care system end, youth must suddenly navigate adult responsibilities such as finding stable employment, securing housing, and building a sense of community. This highlights why understanding what foster care is and how foster care works is so important — the system provides safety and stability during childhood, but many young adults struggle once those supports are removed. Unfortunately, former foster youth are statistically more likely to experience homelessness or incarceration, and less likely to be employed by the age of 24, according to Alternative Family Services.
How Else Can You Support Foster Children?
If you are not in a position to become a foster parent but still want to get involved, there are many organizations and programs that need support. Part of the foster care meaning is community involvement — showing children that they are not alone and that they have positive role models outside of the system. Organizations like Best Kids connect foster care children with mentors who help them build teamwork, social skills, and confidence. In the National Capital Area, 45% of participants in these programs report a boost in self-esteem, creating lasting change.
You can also give, advocate and volunteer with United Way of the National Capital Area, which reduces disparities and barriers to much-needed health, education and economic opportunity resources to increase equity for all community members.
More Child Welfare Resources from United Way NCA
Looking for ways to volunteer in your community and create a positive impact on foster children? Learn how action starts with you and the powerful ways simply take action by advocating for equity or volunteering your time can make a huge difference in the greater DC area.