Are There Children Waiting for Foster Homes?

A foster child faces difficult times in their young life. A child entering foster care is already managing the situation that brought them into the child welfare system. The upheaval of leaving their home adds another layer of emotional strain. After the chaos, youth in foster care have to deal with new unknowns and adapt to a different family or group home.
Younger children may not understand what is happening, and all foster kids feel stress and uncertainty about their future. Perhaps the most painful and familiar feeling among children in protective services is that they are unwanted. Once placed in a safe, stable foster home, these kids can begin to heal.
Are there a lot of displaced children waiting for foster homes? Yes. Sadly, there are more children needing homes than there are families available to foster or adopt them.
Many ways exist to help children and families. Communities urgently need foster parents for foster children and youth until they can return home to their birth families. Keep reading as we dive further into this question, share parenting tips, and light the path to becoming a foster parent.
Deep Dive: Are There Children Waiting for Foster Homes?
Yes, every state has more foster kids waiting for homes than foster families to care for them. Many children are victims of child abuse or neglect and cannot safely stay with their biological families. Every state in the country needs more foster parents who can accept the placement of children into their caring homes. In some states, the situation is desperate.
Foster Care - By the Numbers
The U.S. Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) analyzes and reports on adoption and foster care. The data breaks down by state and helps us know the number of kids in foster care. It also reports on a variety of statistics, like ages, time spent in foster care, and case plan goals.
The latest AFCARS report features 2021 collection data. It states that 391,098 children and teens are in foster care across the United States. The good news is that the number has dropped since the prior year. However, we have too few foster homes to care for foster youth.
We urgently need licensed foster and adoptive parents to provide loving and supportive homes for foster kids. Teenagers and sibling groups have the most urgent need for supportive and nurturing foster families.
Every state and Tribal Title IV-E agency reports case information about foster and adoptive children within their jurisdiction. The report includes information on all ages of children in foster care up to 20 years old.
Once children living in foster care reach legal adulthood, they will "age out" of the foster care system. Others whose birth parents have had parental rights terminated may have adoptive families to support them.
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and the Children's Bureau have helpful information on foster care statistics and outcomes. You can also check state-based foster information here.
The Bottom Line - Kids Need More Foster Parents
How critical is the need for foster families? Simply put, not enough current or prospective foster parents exist to care for all the foster kids in need. Certain groups of foster kids are most difficult to place. These include teenagers and sibling groups separated from their birth families who urgently need foster care and adoption.
Foster care agencies work hard to provide individual care for children. If needed, they provide mental health resources and pair foster children with foster families for the best possible match.
Whenever possible, temporary home care is ideal for foster kids. Unfortunately, the dire situation requires social services workers to house displaced kids in alternative housing. In one such situation, this included casino hotel rooms. Even in cases of emergency, nobody wants to choose this as a way for a child to grow up.
We aim to help people get access to information and learn more about fostering a child. If you are interested in learning more or feel ready to take the next step, contact a child-placing agency in your area.
How You Can Become a Foster Parent
Every state in the U.S. needs more foster parents. Learn more about individual state requirements and what may disqualify you from becoming a foster or adoptive parent. A foster child advocate at your agency can answer specific questions. Your child-placing agency will also guide you through the process or help you schedule an orientation meeting to learn more.
When you reach out to a local foster or adoption agency, a social worker will explain the process and what to expect. Their goal is to answer your questions and address your needs or concerns. The information they share will help you decide whether fostering is right for you.
If you continue the foster parent process, you will receive an invitation to attend foster orientation. At this group session, aspiring foster and adoptive parents learn about the agency's process. You will also meet other prospective parents and learn more about the children in the system.
Orientation will cover topics related to foster parent education, including trauma-informed approaches to childcare. All foster kids share some form of trauma, making this element of parent training vital.
States and agencies have requirements for foster parents. In some states, foster parents must be at least 18 years old. However, the minimum age requirement in other states is 21 or older. Private agencies may have slightly different rules and require applicants to be at least 25 years old.
Do your research to determine if you qualify to become a foster parent. Remember that you have options and can go with either state or private foster agencies. All types of child-placing agencies welcome new foster parents into their community.
Our article on foster care licensing goes over more specifics and FAQs.
What are the Requirements for Fostering?
Each state has requirements that foster parents must meet. In addition, there are many points in common across child-placing agencies. Licensed parents must meet these fostering requirements:
- Pass a criminal background check
- Prove good health
- Complete pre-service and in-service foster parent training
- Clear a fingerprinting process
- Complete the Home Study
- Maintain financial stability
- Have a valid driver's license and auto insurance
- Pass home safety inspections
- Provide each child with their own bed
The best foster parents love and care for children, making sure they feel safe and comfortable while in foster care.
Do I Have to Foster a Certain Age Group?
No. The agency matches foster parents with foster children who are similar in age, characteristics, or circumstances. Children of all ages enter foster care. Let your agency know if you prefer to foster or adopt within a specific age group. You can be as specific as you need, for example, 6-12 years old.
Many older kids in foster care need temporary homes. Most foster parents prefer to foster young children, which leaves teenagers behind. Since the need is so high, we encourage parents to consider fostering older kids or sibling groups. You can learn more about fostering teens to decide if this path is right for you.
Who are the Kids in Foster Care?
Children who enter foster care are not there because they did anything wrong. Instead, authorities removed them from their homes and parents because of safety concerns.
Many reasons why children enter foster care exist. Children may have experienced the loss of a primary caregiver, or someone may have abused, neglected, or abandoned them. They have experienced trauma and are likely trying to process feelings of loneliness, confusion, anger, loss, or grief.
If you adore kids and are willing to spend time with them, you have the makings of an excellent foster parent. As a foster parent, you can help children who have experienced loss and trauma to feel loved again.
We Support the Foster Process
Are children waiting for foster and adoptive homes right now? Absolutely. Too many U.S. kids urgently need the love and support a foster family can offer.
Becoming a foster parent involves a learning curve and lots of responsibility. We aim to build awareness about the national foster family shortage and ease prospective foster parents' journey. Our mission includes linking children in need with nurturing homes and streamlining the licensing process.
FosterUSKids supports foster kids and aspiring foster parents like you. Take the next step to talk to a foster advocate and learn more about fostering today.