Policy Hub

In the United States, more than 400,000 children are in foster care on a given day. The most vulnerable children, those who are abused and neglected in society, are most typically the ones falling through the cracks of a broken foster care system. While the goal of the child welfare system should be clear- placing children in the most safe and nurturing environments possible, the pathways and policies in place to do just that are often ineffective, unsuccessful, or inconsistent. This brief takes a closer look at the foster care system, key legislation, proposed reforms, and how children, youth, and young adults are impacted.