Home > Frequently Asked Questions > Frequently Asked Questions: Out-of-Home Care

Frequently Asked Questions: Out-of-Home Care

• Questions and answers
• General resources
• Frequently requested information

Questions and answers

• How many children are in foster care?
  
  
• How long do children stay in foster care?
  
  
• How do I become a foster parent?
  
  
• I'm having problems with foster care services in my State. What should I do?
  
  

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General resources

• How Does the Child Welfare System Work?
  
  (PDF - 342 KB) Also available in Spanish: ¿Cómo trabaja el sistema de bienstar infantile? (PDF - 148 KB)
  
  
• Adoption and Foster Care Statistics (AFCARS Reports)
  
  
• Child Welfare Outcomes 2003
  (PDF - 3410 KB)
  
  
• Foster Care Today (PDF - 327 KB)

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Frequently requested information

• Foster Care Statistics
  Provides the most current national statistical estimates and data trends. (PDF - 288 KB)
  
  
• A Family's Guide to the Child Welfare System (PDF - 699 KB)
  Addresses many of the questions that families face when they become involved in the child welfare system.
  
  Also available in Spanish: Guía para la familia sobre el sistema de bienestar infantil (PDF - 889 KB)
  
  
• State Foster Care Information Websites
  Links to State websites with foster care information.
  
  
• Data Reports: Foster Care Basic Monthly Maintenance Rates for Children Ages 2, 9, and 16
  Searchable database with information on foster care monthly payment rates in each State.
  
  
• Kinship Caregivers and the Child Welfare System: A Factsheet for Families
  Types of kinship care, services for relative caregivers, and more. (PDF - 230 KB)

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Updated on April 30, 2008