By Andrew Atwal, Youth Today—The total number of children in foster care has declined by 22 percent from 2000 to 2009. The federal Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Report System released the data from a recent analysis.

 

 

In 2000, there were over a half million in foster care. By 2009, that number had dropped by 120,530 fewer children to 423,773 in foster care. Unfortunately, however, the decline in the number have children has not also been reflected in the setting for placements. The same proportion of children is in group homes or institutions, approximately one in six children. Only about a quarter of children are in placements with relatives.

Research suggests that staying with a relative reduces the trauma caused by being removed from the biological parents’ home. Further, youth in group homes tend to be at higher risk of experiencing physical, behavioral, or emotional problems. They are also less likely to be placed in a permanent home compared to those living with foster families.

Older youth are particularly at risk of group home placement. While only about 1 percent of children ages 1 to 5 are put in group homes or institutions, over a third of youth 16 and older are in such placements.

Looking to learn from the 4 states that have fewer than 10 percent of their foster children in group homes can help prevent this phenomenon from rising.

Courtesy of Youth Today

Original Article: Children in Foster Care Down 22 Percent in Decade

Link: http://www.youthtoday.org/view_article.cfm?article_id=4814