Adoption

There are four ways children can leave foster care for permanent homes: Reunification with birth parents, adoption, guardianship and placement with relatives.

Adoption is a legal process that permanently transfers parental responsibility from a child's birth parents to their adoptive parents. After reunification, it is the next most secure permanency option for children in foster care.

In 2021, one in four children exiting foster care — around 53,300 kids in the United States — were adopted. About 80% of these children were under age 11, and more than half — 52% — were between the ages of 1 and 5.

Find state and national data related to adoption for children in foster care on the KIDS COUNT® Data Center.

Every Kid Needs a Family

Giving Children in the Child Welfare System the Best Chance for Success

This KIDS COUNT policy report underscores a simple fact about childhood: Family matters. Yet, today in America, 57,000 children are still living in group placements. Readers will learn about limiting the role of residential treatment care to its intended purpose and how state and local leaders can work together to enhance family-oriented services and supports. The end goal? Brighter futures — and loving families — for some of our country’s most vulnerable children.

View the list of KIDS COUNT Outreach Partners, a network of organizations who help to promote KIDS COUNT data and its policy recommendations.

Keeping Kids in Families

Trends in U.S. Foster Care Placement

In this data snapshot, the Annie E. Casey Foundation examines how placements for young people in foster care have changed from 2007 to 2017. Using data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Casey finds that child welfare systems are doing a better job of placing kids in families. At the same time, racial disparities persist for kids of all ages and progress eludes teens in care.

Child Welfare and Foster Care Statistics

This post shares the latest statistics on foster care, adoption and transitioning youth. Explore the data.

Helping Mental Health Clinicians Better Support Adoptive Families

Adopted children and their families face a distinct and elevated risk of difficulties. New research has singled out a training model that can help. Read more to learn about the Training for Adoption Competency.

The Effects of Training for Adoption Competency on Clinical Services With Adoptive Families

Executive Summary

This study examines the effectiveness and quality of an adoption-specific training model called Training for Adoption Competency. Findings indicate that them model enhances clinical practice as it relates to adoptive families, adopted youth and birth parents.

On the First National Foster Parent Appreciation Day, Let’s Celebrate and Support Foster Parents

The first National Foster Parent Appreciation Day is set for May 31, 2018, the last day of National Foster Care Month. The Casey Foundation's President & CEO calls on communities to celebrate and support the contributions of foster parents.

Resources for Foster Parents

A collection of 10 online resources designed to help foster parents succeed.

10 Key Resources for Child Welfare Professionals

A roundup of 10 online resources that child welfare professionals can use to strengthen their work with kids and families.

Working With Casey, Oklahoma Doubles its Number of Licensed Foster Care Beds

The Annie E. Casey Foundation teamed up with the state of Oklahoma to improve its foster care system, and the multiyear collaboration is yielding impressive results.

Report Explores How Adolescents Leave Foster Care

A new Casey-funded study by the Center for State Child Welfare Data examines the reasons that teenagers exit out-of-home care and the variables influencing their path.

Book Shares Insights Culled From an Inspiring Career Serving Children and Families

A new book, authored by the now-retired CEO of KVC Health Systems, offers lessons learned after more than three decades of leading efforts to enhance the lives of children and families across the nation.

Keeping the Family Conversation Alive: Supporting Permanence Among Youth in Foster Care

A new handout by the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative shares recommendations for promoting permanence among young people in foster care. This advice utilizes the latest research on adolescent brain development and apply even for young people who may have given up on the idea of legally joining a permanent family.

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Every Kid Needs a Family

Giving Children in the Child Welfare System the Best Chance for Success

View the list of KIDS COUNT Outreach Partners, a network of organizations who help to promote KIDS COUNT data and its policy recommendations.

May 19, 2015

Featured

Keeping Kids in Families

Trends in U.S. Foster Care Placement

April 2, 2019

Adoption

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Every Kid Needs a Family

Keeping Kids in Families