A basic refresher-course in foster care

What is foster care? 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_care:

A system by which a certified, stand-in "parent(s)" cares for minor children or young people who have been removed from their biological parents or other custodial adults by state authority.  Responsibility for the young person is assumed by the relevant governmental authority and a placement with another family found. There can be voluntary placements by a parent of a child into foster care. Foster placements are monitored until the biological family can provide appropriate care or the biological parental rights are terminated and the child is adopted. A third option, guardianship, is sometimes utilized in certain cases where a child cannot be reunified with their birth family and adoption is not right for them. This generally includes some older foster children who may be strongly bonded to their family of origin and unwilling to pursue adoption. Voluntary foster care may be utilized in circumstances where a parent is unable or unwilling to care for a child. For instance, a child may have behavioral problems requiring specialized treatment or the parent might have a problem which results in a temporary or permanent inability to care for the child(ren). Involuntary foster care may be implemented when a child is removed from their caregiver for his/her own safety. A foster parent receives monetary reimbursement from the placement agency for each child while the child is in his/her home to help cover the cost of meeting the child's needs. The amount of financial assistance typically varies from state to state and even city to city.

How many children are in foster care?

According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, "Over 500,000 children in the U.S. currently reside in some form of foster care. Placements in foster care have dramatically increased over the past 10 years.  Despite the increasing numbers, children in foster care and foster parents are mostly invisible in communities and often lack many needed supports and resources."

Although the last update was made September 13, 2006, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families published statistics related to Adoption and Foster Care.  The AFCARS Report can be read at: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/afcars/tar/report10.htm

How can I learn more about foster-care and it's influence on children and society?

The Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care has an excellent information page found at:  http://pewfostercare.org/

Casey Family Programs is a national operating foundation with offices across the country.  It's mission is to provide and improve—and ultimately to prevent the need for—foster care.

The National Foster Parent Association is the only national organization which strives to support foster parents, and remains a consistently strong voice on behalf of all children. Their mission is to support foster parents in achieving safety, permanence and well-being for the children and youth in their care.