Foster care program

From Adoption Information

Current revision

Local Solutions for Kids in Need

In the United States, the foster care program provides homes and supervision for children (a) who are under the care of their state's department of social services and under the jurisdiction of their Family Court, or (b) whose parents have voluntarily given up their parental rights. The ultimate goal is to provide the child with a home and family to care for him until he can be either returned to his birth family or adopted. Ideally, a foster placement will be temporary, with the family being reunited as soon as it is safe for the child to return. When reunification is not possible, the federal Adoption and Safe Families Act limits the amount of time most children should spend in care before an alternative (such as adoption) is pursued.

While there are federal laws that touch on the foster care program, it is really administered at the local level. The names and organization vary from state to state, but in general, foster care comes under the umbrella of the state's department of health and human services, in the social services division. These state agencies oversee county social service departments and private foster care agencies.

In fact, while the foster care program is regulated by government regulations, in many places the vast majority of foster care work is undertaken by independent non-profit organizations. These organizations are licensed by the state. Most are specialized and offer extra levels of treatment or therapeutic care for children with special medical, emotional, or behavioral challenges. Usually these agencies receive some government funds, but many will also depend on charitable donations.

Caseworkers at the agencies, either public or private, then take on responsibility for making the foster care program work. They train foster parents, place children in foster homes, work to reunite families, work with other local agencies to find adoptive placements when needed, and keep track of each individual child's progress through the system.

To find out more about the foster care program in your area, contact your county department of social services. They will be able to guide you to your next step.