Questions and answers
- How long do children stay in foster care? What are their plans after foster care?
- A family member asked me to be a legal guardian for her children because she is having some serious problems and cannot care for them, but I'm not sure exactly what that means. Can you explain?
- What are the permanency outcomes for children leaving foster care?
An additional 10 percent were emancipated or aged out of foster care, and 3 percent had other outcomes. The percentage of children who left the system for adoption increased by 2 percentage points between FY 2000 and FY 2008. Overall, the percentage of children exiting foster care to a permanent family (i.e., reunification, adoption, or living with relative or guardian) showed only small variations across the two periods. For more information, see the Children's Bureau's Adoption & Foster Care Statistics.
General resources
How the Child Welfare System Works
| Series Title | Factsheets |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 789KB) Order (Free) |
| Disponibilidad | Ver Versión para imprimir (PDF - 481KB) |
| Year Published | 2020 |
Provides a brief overview of the purposes and functions of the child welfare system and includes a flowchart illustrating how cases typically move through the system.
Adoption and Foster Care Statistics (AFCARS Reports)
Child Welfare Outcomes Report Data
Frequently requested information
State Laws on Child Welfare
Summaries of State laws on permanency planning for children in foster care.
Concurrent Planning for Timely Permanence
| Series Title | Bulletins for Professionals |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 300KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2018 |
Explores concurrent planning research and practice. Examines the role of the courts, how to assess for the probability of family reunification, and caseworker training. Provides State and local examples of concurrent planning practice.
Kinship Caregivers and the Child Welfare System
| Series Title | Factsheets for Families |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 575KB) Order (Free) |
| Disponibilidad | Ver Versión para imprimir (PDF - 717KB) Ordene (Gratis) |
| Year Published | 2016 |
Discusses issues of interest to the growing number of grandparents and other relatives caring for children whose own parents are unable to care for them. Sometimes, the arrangement (referred to as "kinship care") is an informal, private arrangement between the parents and relative caregivers; in other situations, the local child welfare agency is involved. This factsheet is designed to help kinship caregivers--including grandparents, aunts and uncles, other relatives, and family friends caring for children--work effectively with the child welfare system. Resources, such as links to more detailed information or places to find help, are included.
Guardianship
Addresses guardianship options for children in out-of-home care, including standby and subsidized guardianship.
Extending Out-Of-Home Care for Youth Past Age 18
Presents information on Federal and State efforts to support youth in out-of-home care past age 18.
AdoptUsKids
Promotes the recruitment and retention of adoptive families for children in foster care.