Through the title IV-E Foster Care program, the Children’s Bureau supports states and participating territories and tribes to provide safe and stable out-of-home care for children and youth until they are safely returned home, placed permanently with adoptive families or legal guardians, or placed in other planned arrangements for permanency. The program is authorized by title IV-E of the Social Security Act, as amended, and implemented under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at 45 CFR parts 1355, 1356, and 1357.
Foster Care Programs
CB provides funding to states and tribes to provide safe foster care placements for children and youth who cannot remain in their homes. Our funding also provides assistance to youth aging out of foster care so that they can achieve self-sufficiency.
The Children’s Bureau implements the following foster care programs:
- The Title IV - E Foster Care Program
- The John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (Chafee)
Foster Care Reporting Systems
The Children’s Bureau collects case-level information from states on all children in foster care, and we recently began collecting information on independent living services for youth in foster care and those who age out of care.
See the following for more information about our reporting systems:
Foster Care Highlight
For the most recent foster care data from AFCARS, please see Adoption and Foster Care Statistics under Statistics and Research.
Youth.gov provides interactive tools and other resources to help youth-serving organizations and community partnerships plan, implement, and participate in effective programs for youth.