National Adoption and Foster Care Stats for 2011: many children are still waiting
Carol Mikkelsen, MPA ? Director of Programs and Administration
The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System (AFCARs) statistics for 2011 have just been released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.? While this data is obtained via input from non-standardized State data systems and is thus imperfect, I believe it?s still considered the best national baseline available.
I have only had time to glance at this as yet, but what I found immediately jarring was that of the 104,236 ?children waiting to be adopted? nationally, only 12% were in pre-adoptive homes (p.4).? Even if you
allow that a significant percentage of ?non-relative foster homes? are likely to be foster-to-adopt homes, this percentage is disturbingly low.
Also distressing, the mean (23.6) and median (11.5) number of months that have elapsed since a child?s parents? rights have been terminated (p.5).? And this is for children who were still awaiting adoption ? who have still more months to wait.
There?s no question we have a long way to go.
But, at yesterday?s weekly program meeting, Amara?s adoption and foster care team worked together to plan for preparing and supporting the creation of four new blended families.
Soon to be welcomed home are:
- A sibling group of two twin infants and their 2-year old brother;
- A sibling group of a 10-year old girl and her 8-year old brother, only recently reunited in care;
- A sibling group of a 2-year old girl and her 7-month old sister; and
- A 9-year old girl whose three siblings are all in separate relative, foster or adoptive placements, but who will finally find an adoptive family of her own.
One step at a time!
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Source: http://amaraparenting.org/archives/2692
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