“A half-century of research demonstrates convincingly that children’s well-being builds upon meeting first their primary needs for a stable and lasting family life.” ─ Mark Testa, national child welfare expert

Overall Reduction: Steady decline in the number of children in care Source: AFCARS and NCANDS.

Safety Has Improved: Percent of Children Experiencing Repeat Maltreatment within 6 Months Source: AFCARS and NCANDS.

Children Entering Care, by Age: 37% of children entering care are age 3 and younger Source: AFCARS and NCANDS.

Children In Care, by Age: Young children and adolescents are in care in larger numbers Source: AFCARS and NCANDS.

Most Children Exit to Permanency: But the likelihood declines with age Source: AFCARS and NCANDS.

Youth Who “Age Out” of Care: # and % of Youth Aging Out Has Increased Overall Source: AFCARS and NCANDS.

Youth Who “Age Out” of Care: 9% of youth who age out of care first entered when they were age 0-3 (FY10) Source: AFCARS and NCANDS.

Top Trends Emerging from Children’s Bureau Survey Increasing the availability of home-based programs and services Changes in assessment and screening processes Seeking alternative placements to foster care and identifying placement resources Focusing on engaging families and using a strengths- based approach when working with children and families Strengthening partnership between court and child welfare systems