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More than 407,000 children and youth are currently in foster care in the U.S.
That means that these children have been temporarily placed with families outside of their own homes due to experiences of child abuse or neglect. For many, their homes have been broken by death, divorce, drugs, alcohol, physical or sexual abuse, illness, or financial hardship.
The goal of foster parenting is to provide a safe, stable, nurturing environment. Caring adults can make a real difference in the lives of these young people by becoming foster parents, providing empathy, patience and tenacity, love, and support.
What is Foster Care Awareness Month?
The National Foster Care Awareness Month campaign recognizes the important role of those in child welfare that provide critical support for foster children, youth, and their families.
We curated a list of informative stats and facts, helpful resources, and inspiring stories from our partners and friends in the child welfare space.
Foster Facts
- The average age of a foster youth is 8½ years old.
- A foster youth will typically spend around 20 months in foster care.
- More than half of foster children will reunify with their parent.
- LGBTQ foster youth are less likely to be placed with a family.
- 30% of foster children are placed with a relative.
- Over 70% of 17-year-old foster youth aspire to go to college.
- Foster youth are seven times more likely than non-foster youth to have depression, and five times more likely to have anxiety.
- 1 out of every 5 people who age out of the foster care system lack a home when they turn 18.
- 95% of parents who adopt foster youth said they would make the same decision again
How to Become a Foster Parent
Below are links to resources and reading if you're interested in learning more about foster care or how to become a foster parent!
Resources and Reading List
FAQs: Foster Parenting with AdoptUSKids
Human Rights Campaign- How to become a Foster Parent
HRC Podcast: Foster Care, A Path to Reunification
Aviva Family and Children’s Services - Becoming a Foster Parent
Childwelfare.gov: Stories of Foster Care
What I’ve learned as a CASA Volunteer with CASA of Travis County
KCare’s own, Shane Frazier, shares his Foster Dad story
Have a story you’d like to share? We’d love to hear it!
Contact us at info@k-care.com.