Pros & Cons: State Foster Care vs. Private Foster Care

An estimated 391,098 children and teenagers are in the foster care system in the United States. Child protective services has determined that these kids are not safe to remain in their biological or family home. Instead, they need temporary, stable foster home care with loving families.

Foster care services aim to rejoin foster children with their biological families as soon as legally and safely possible. However, for a large number of foster children and youth, returning to their prior homes is not possible. These children need to find permanent homes through the foster care system.

If you've thought about foster care or adoption, you might have heard about social services that help children in foster care. Foster family agencies take two forms: state care and private agency. Both support children and families with education, resources, and various support services, sometimes including sometimes financial support.

Either state or private is an excellent way to start your fostering journey. There are pros and cons to both. Using this guide, dive a little deeper to decide which makes the most sense for your family.

The Pros & Cons of State Foster Care vs. Private Foster Care

State welfare systems operate independently and somewhat differently. They have in common that each state has custody of kids in the foster care system. State agencies have the authority to license a foster or adoptive family.

State-level agencies are typically the first support connections for children entering the foster care system. They offer resources for children, including those who have experienced some form of abuse or neglect. They can help parents who want to foster or adopt a child.

A private agency is a business that must obtain the state's approval. The state may approve a request from a private agency to provide services for fostering, adoption, or both.

Both options can help aspiring foster parents obtain a foster license. Each type of agency has child advocates or social workers to walk future foster families through the license and approval process. In "pre-service training," candidates learn about the foster licensing and approval process. Training covers various topics such as Home Study expectations, parenting challenges, and how to provide excellent foster child care.

Many foster families have a preference between state or private agencies. It's a good idea to research options and hear from experienced foster parents about their experiences.

Answer These Questions to Help You Decide

When conducting research, be sure to ask yourself the following questions:

• Which kind of foster office is closer to where I live?
• How important to me is forming a personal relationship with my agency contact?
• Is having a faith-based agency key to my decision?

If the foster agency is nearby, finishing all the steps for foster approval and licensing will be easier. Also, consider whether the size of the agency is conducive to your needs. For example, a smaller private agency may suit you better if relationship-building is a priority.

Finding a faith-based agency may be one of your priorities if you have a strong religious affiliation. These agencies believe various aspects of organized religion are essential to a family's spiritual well-being.

Contact a local foster care advocate to learn more about individual child-placing agencies and how they operate. You can attend the orientation at different agencies before you make a commitment. Join a few informational sessions and ask questions as you determine which seems the best fit for your family.

State Agencies: Pros and Cons in Foster Care

The state agency is the ultimate authority in the foster care system. As such, many first-time foster parents feel comfortable going this route.

A big advantage of working with a state agency is that they have custody of all foster children in the system. They understand each child's background. This can be an advantage in finding a good match and getting appropriate child and family support resources. When working with a state agency, foster or adoptive parents can learn more about a child and their situation before placement.

County agencies, not private organizations, in each state are the first placement for children who enter foster care. They serve a wide range of children in need. Among them are likely younger foster children or kids with fewer specialized care needs. Foster parents working with a state foster care agency have more options to match a foster child who shares similar needs.

However, there are a few disadvantages to working with a state foster care agency.

State caseworkers tend to have large caseloads. Many state agencies claim that a social worker shortage has spread them too thin. Unfortunately, this can result in slower processing and higher turnover rates.

For these reasons, connecting and forming relationships with individual social workers at state and county agencies may be hard. Foster parents may also find it more difficult to contact or get help after they have taken in a child.

Private Foster Care Agencies: Pros and Cons

A private foster care agency gets referrals from counties across the state.

Private foster and adoption agencies operate on a smaller scale, which offers several benefits over larger state agencies. For one, it is easier to form relationships with agency points of contact and to reach individual caseworkers as needed. They can answer common questions or help you navigate the legal process.

Fewer cases mean more time for social workers in private foster care agencies to spend with children and foster parents. Investing more time and effort in their cases helps them better understand each child's situation. This, in turn, makes it easier for them to match foster children with the best possible foster families.

Private foster agencies consider foster applicants holistically, while state agencies with more cases tend to work closely against technical placement rules.

For all the upsides of working with private foster agencies, there are also downsides to consider.

Private businesses may charge additional fees that the state does not. Private agencies may also have slightly different or higher levels of requirements for parents. For instance, some require parents to be 25 years old, while the State may have a minimum age of 21. You can check minimum state requirements for foster parents as you learn more.

Speak to an advocate at a child-placing agency in your state to ask questions based on your needs.

Weigh Each Choice to Find the Best Fit

Both state and private agencies near you can be solid options to help guide your fostering journey.

Finding the right agency is a central step in your quest to become a foster parent. Take time to ask questions, consider options, and choose the agency partner that best suits your needs and preferences.

After making your choice, contact the agency that matches your goals to continue your fostering journey. Your decision will make a life-changing impact on a foster child in need.