The Policy Circle

In the United States, more than 400,000 children are in foster care on a given day. The most vulnerable children, those who are abused and neglected in society, are most typically the ones falling through the cracks of a broken foster care system. This Brief takes a closer look at the foster care system, key legislation, proposed reforms, and how children, youth, and young adults are impacted.

The U.S. foster care system is large, but not always well equipped. The current system does not always have the means or coordination to achieve the end goal, and goals are sometimes at odds with each other. Confounding variables ranging from substance abuse to poverty complicate matters. Given the long-term impacts on children and youth as they transition to adulthood and become functioning members of society, it is crucial to get this right by engaging not only institutions but the whole community.