Foster Care Statistics 2016

Series Title: Numbers and Trends

Author(s): Child Welfare Information Gateway

Year Published: 2018

(PDF - 383 KB)

This factsheet provides the most recent national statistical estimates for children and youth in foster care from fiscal year (FY) 2016 and also provides earlier data from FY 2006 to allow for some estimate of trends over time. Data were obtained from the Federal Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). AFCARS collects information on all children in foster care for whom State child welfare agencies have responsibility for placement, care, or supervision and on children who are adopted with public child welfare agency involvement.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Children in, entering, and exiting care

Additional information

References

We also recommend the following Information Gateway publications:

Foster Parents Considering Adoption
(Factsheets for Families)
Preparing and Supporting Foster Parents Who Adopt
(Bulletins for Professionals)
Trends in U.S. Adoptions: 2008–2012
(Numbers and Trends)

Suggested Citation: Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2017). Foster care statistics 2016. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau.

This material may be freely reproduced and distributed. However, when doing so, please credit Child Welfare Information Gateway.