How Many Children are in Foster Care and Waiting for Adoption?
The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) [formerly the American Public Welfare Association (APWA)] continues to collect national data on adoption through the –>Voluntary Cooperative Information System (VCIS)–>. Since 1983, the VCIS system has estimated the number of children in foster care based on data submitted voluntarily by participating states. Based on current AFCARS estimates released January 2000, there are approximately 520,000 children currently in foster care in the United States. Of these, 117,000 are eligible for adoption. (US HHS, 2000) Historically, the number of children in foster care has increased, while the proportion of children in foster care who are free for adoption has remained constant. In 1977, as in 1997, approximately 20% of the children in foster care were available for adoption. Of the children who were free for adoption in 1977, 50% were in adoptive placements. Of the children free for adoption in December, 1982, 34% were in adoptive place
