Foster Care – How long are children in Foster Care?
Regardless of the type of placement the children receive, foster care is intended to be temporary. Foster care is not designed to be a permanent plan for children. If it is impossible for the children to go home, the social workers will work with the parents and court system to make other permanent plans for the children such as adoption or permanent placement in a relative’s home. One year is a long time in the life of a child. Children need to be where they are going to grow up as soon as possible. The goal is for children to be returned to their families or placed in another permanent home within one year or less. By working with the social worker, the parent(s) can help the child’s stay in foster care be as short as possible.
