Foster Care - A Closer Look
System Overwhelmed: Urgent Troubles in U.S. Foster Care
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Foster children have a median age of 6 years old.
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Approximately 343,077 children were in foster care in 2023.
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The state of Florida 20,177 in 2023.
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60% of boys aging out face criminal convictions.
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20,000 youth age out of foster care annually.
No Place to Land: Youth Aging Out of Foster Care Struggle Without Safety Nets
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The transition period for youth in foster care is critical.
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60% of boys who age out are convicted of a crime.
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Support systems are essential for successful transitions.
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Awareness can help improve outcomes for these youth.
From Classroom to Crisis: Foster Youth Struggle to Stay in School and Out of Poverty
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40% of foster children have learning difficulties.
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They are three times more likely to be suspended or expelled.
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High school dropout rates are three times higher than for other low-income youth.
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Only 55% graduate high school, compared to 87% of their peers.
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Just 3% to 10.8% go on to earn a bachelor’s degree.
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50% of the homeless were in foster care.
Silent Scars: 80% of Foster Youth Face Mental Health Struggles That Often Go Untreated
Youth in foster care face disproportionately high rates of mental health challenges due to early exposure to trauma, abuse, neglect, and instability. Studies show that up to 80% of foster children experience significant mental health issues—compared to just 18–22% of the general population. These include elevated rates of:
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ADHD, PTSD, and attachment disorders
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Anxiety (5x higher) and depression (7x higher) than non-foster peers
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Suicide attempts, especially among those in group homes
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Psychotropic medication use, which is three times more common than in the general child population
Foster care alumni continue to suffer long after leaving the system, with PTSD rates nearly five times higher than the general adult population. Without trauma-informed care and consistent mental health support, these youth face long-term barriers to stability, success, and well-being.
