At our foster care agency in Pennsylvania, one of our primary purposes involves demystifying foster care and answering frequently asked questions about the foster system.
Many of our foster families don’t know much about foster care, aside from the perception they’ve gathered from the media or popular culture, before they begin the process of becoming a foster family.
Foster Care in Pennsylvania Statistics
We believe it’s imperative to outline the statistics related to foster care so that potential foster families understand the greater systemic factors at play when it comes to sponsoring a child in need.
At the end of the day, individuals and families who become foster families or adoptive parents can help to improve the statistics for Pennsylvania.
If you have any additional questions about foster care in Pennsylvania or want to file an application, contact FCCY today!
Why Children Enter Foster Care in Pennsylvania
Unfortunately, one of the most insidious misconceptions related to foster care involves the factors that contribute to a child’s entry into this system. People without experience in foster care usually assume that a child’s own “delinquent” behavior precipitated entry into the foster care system.
However, according to the Pennsylvania Foster Care Fact Sheet for Fiscal Year 2015 compiled by Child Trends, a non-profit research organization, the statistics tell a different story.
Indeed, the publication sites parental substance abuse (53 percent of cases) as the most common reason for a child to enter foster care in Pennsylvania. Behind substance abuse, 23 percent of cases involved neglect.
Other factors for a child entering foster care in Pennsylvania include:
- Inability to cope
- Physical abuse
- Child behavior problem
- Inadequate housing
- Parental incarceration
- Abandonment
- Sexual abuse
- Other
In most cases, therefore, a child protective services worker and court deem a home unsafe because of factors unrelated to the child. Instead, most cases involve external factors beyond a child’s control.
When a family agrees to care for a child as a foster family, therefore, they commit to providing a safe, nurturing environment as opposed to a toxic one.
Ages of Children in Foster Care
The age distribution of children in foster care is another helpful statistic to enumerate.
While many connect foster care to “troubled teenagers,” the facts again paint a different picture.
In Pennsylvania, the majority of children in foster care (30 percent) are between one and five years of age. The next greatest distribution is children between 16 and 20 years of age (23 percent).
We also want to note that fostering a teenager can be uniquely rewarding. Check out our “Why You Should Foster a Teenager” blog for more information about the benefits of fostering older children.
Outcomes of Children Exiting Foster Care
Another important aspect of foster care in Pennsylvania involves the outcomes of children who exit the system. The goal of any foster care agency is for a kid to exit foster care before they “age out” of the system at 18. Aging out of the system usually comes with a plague of consequences, including a higher rate of incarceration, homelessness, and unemployment. When a child in foster care can exist the system before 18, however, they have a greater chance of stability and success.
In Pennsylvania, 50 percent of foster children were returned to parents. In most cases, this is the goal of a foster care plan. Data also reveals that 20 percent of children were adopted, either by foster care families or relatives.
At the end of the day, foster care agencies like FCCY exist so that all children can access a supportive and safe home.
If you want to help a child in need, there’s nothing more meaningful than opening your home.
About Our Foster Care Agency in Pennsylvania
FCCY has over 20 years of experience as a foster care agency in PA. We decided to start our non-profit because we recognized a gap between the needs of children and the Pennsylvania foster care system. As such, we try to fill this gap by connecting children in need to safe homes.
In addition to placing children with foster care families, our services include:
- Homemaker services
- Kinship care
- Independent living
- Emergency placement
- Respite care
- Adoption services
Contact FCCY today if you want to learn more about becoming a foster parent in Pennsylvania!
With experienced, compassionate and dedicated professionals, we'll work with you in order to find the best solutions. Whether you know a child in need of emergency services, or you are looking to provide a home for those in need, call us today!
The mission of Family Care for Children & Youth, Inc. is to be the best social service agency committed to providing an excellent standard of care and culturally competent services while communicating compassion, empathy, and hope for the future.
OUR HAPPY FAMILIES SAY IT ALL
Check out our success stories below
"THEY CARE ABOUT THE CHILDREN AND ARE VERY THOROUGH"
My husband and I always tell people that talk to us about wanting to foster or adopt about our agency. We enjoy working with this agency because the staff not only care about the careful placement of a child but also about us as a family. Our agency is available and quick to respond to us whether we have an emergency or just a question. They care about the children and are very thorough to ensure the children and the foster family are getting what they need.
Alice Cedrone
"WE ENJOY GIVING BACK"
Fostering is very positive experience not only for ourselves but also for the child’s well-being. We enjoy giving back. Providing a loving, nurturing home to a child gives the child an opportunity to have a normal childhood as possible.
Millie Flores
"WE WOULD RECOMMEND FCCY"
Picking FCCY to work with has been the best thing my husband and I could have done. We have had only positive experiences with this agency. The case managers are so good and give you total support as a foster parent. We would recommend FCCY to others looking into foster care.
P. Kyler