How quickly are children in the foster care system being reunified with their families?
Sixty-five percent of children who were reunified with their parents or other relatives had been in foster care for less than 12 months. While most children are being reunified with their families within 12 months of entering foster care, many other children take much longer to reunify. If children must be separated from their parents, the State child welfare agency should work for the child’s return, if it can be done safely. The agency should identify which services are needed by families of abused or neglected children and take steps to expedite the safe return of children to their families through the provision of services. 6. Of the children entering foster care in FY 1998, how many were re-entering foster care? Seventeen percent of the children entering foster care in FY 1998 had been in foster care previously. State child welfare agencies must avoid reunifying children without providing the necessary supportive services to their families. 7. How quickly are children in the foste
