From the Imprint–Two years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, the number of youth in foster care continues to decline, according to new federal data covering fiscal 2022.
There were 368,530 youth in foster care in the 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico in 2022, 6% fewer than 2021 and 16% fewer than 2018. The decline continues to be fueled by plummeting entries into care, which has more than made up for the fact that stays in foster care have grown longer and exits from the system have slowed.
“We are pleased the overall number of children entering foster care is declining,” said Aysha Schomburg, associate commissioner of the U.S. Children’s Bureau, which oversees the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). “We will continue to work hard to ensure families have the necessary supports and services so children can remain at home as often as is safely possible and avoid the foster care system.”