September 21, 2015
Newly released data from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Administration on Children, Youth and Families show that while the number of children in foster care was on the decline for most of the last decade, the numbers in the last two years have increased at the national level.
# # #
Quick Facts
- After declining more than 20 percent between Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 and FY 2012 to a low of 397,000, the number of children in foster care increased to 415,000 in FY 2014.
- In FY 2005, the number of entries into foster care was at its highest point in the last decade with 307,000 entries reported that year.
- The number of entries to care declined through FY 2011 to 252,000, increased slightly to 255,000 in FY 2013 and to 265,000 in FY 2014.
- Despite the incremental increase in the numbers of children in foster care, the number of children adopted with child welfare agency involvement has held steady over the last several years, at approximately 51,000 adoptions per year.
Quotes
"We are concerned about any increases in the foster care numbers, and we are working hard with our state partners to better understand the reasons behind the increase."— Rafael López, commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families
"Foster care should be rare and brief.”— Rafael López, commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families
“Every child deserves a loving home and family. We will continue to resolutely support programs, research, and monitoring to make sure all children are safe and living with permanent, forever families.”— Rafael López, commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families
Additional Links
Contact
Administration for Children & Families
Office of Communications
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20201
Phone: (202) 401-9215
Fax: (202) 205-9688
Email: media@acf.hhs.gov
Program Office: