What are the facts about foster care?

May is National Foster Care Month. What are the facts about foster care? How many youth and children are in foster homes? What are the results for youth who have spent all or part of their lives in foster care?

Simmons College School of Social Work created an Infographic that details the harsh realities surrounding youth in the foster care system across the country based on information from national surveys and reports. They found that, nationwide, one in 184 youth are in foster care.

The Infographic shows how youths of all ages, races are represented in the foster care system. However, according to the data, “If one child were to represent all others in the foster care system,  he would be nine years old, white, more likely to be disabled than a child living outside of the foster care system, and trying to reunify with his family.”

Sadly, but not surprisingly, youth who have spent time in foster care are more likely than the general population to have a difficult life. These young people are more likely to become homeless, unemployed or dependent to drugs and alcohol. They are less likely to graduate from high school or college and more likely to commit a crime. 

How do we change these statistics? At Plummer we believe three ingredients are essential for these youth to succeed as adults. First and foremost, they must have families who are committed to them for a lifetime. In addition, they need skills and community connections. These beliefs are the basis of the Plummer’s Intervention model. The Simmons’ Infographic shows us all that there are kids out there who need help and why that help is important.

Check out Simmons College’s Infographic for more details on the facts about foster care.