What is Foster Care and How Does it Work?

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 home to home, 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 end up in foster care because their parents are going through an emergency situation that renders them unable to take care of them. Parental circumstances can include anything from incarceration and eviction to struggling with mental health issues or drugs. Death and other tragic situations can all be a catalyst for placement as well.

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.

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.

The Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) in DC, follows evidence-based strategies and will remove children from the home as a last resort. The agency aims to place children with relatives before seeking an outside fostering option. The CFSA seeks to provide children with a nurturing environment and safe reunification with their biological parents once 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 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 are Group Homes 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.

Common Questions About Foster Care

Foster Parent Meaning & How Do You Foster a Child?

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 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 may be available if you foster through CFSA.

What is the Goal of Foster Care?

Foster care encompasses a broad spectrum of goals and objectives, each essential in ensuring the welfare and development of children placed in the system. These objectives are not only about providing temporary shelter but also about fostering an environment that nurtures growth, stability, and positive outcomes for children facing challenging circumstances.

• 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 the system they face more obstacles than their peers. Children who leave the system lose their support services, which can create major challenges like finding stable employment, housing and a sense of community. Unfortunately, foster youth are more likely to experience homelessness and end up in prison. They are also less likely to be employed than their peers by the time they reach 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 are still looking for ways to get involved, there are plenty of organizations and programs that could use your support. Organizations like Best Kids connect foster care children to mentors to help them learn teamwork, social skills and more. Of the 45 programs hosted in the National Capital Area, 45% of participants experience a boost in their 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.