The bad news: numbers don’t lie.

The good news: together, we are helping change them.

The following national statistics reflect the ongoing needs of children in foster and transitional care across the United States.

Children in Foster Care

• Over 390,000 children are currently in foster care in the United States.
• More than 200,000 children enter foster care each year.
• Neglect accounts for nearly three-quarters of child removals from the home.
• Children experience an average of 2–3 placement changes, with many facing far more instability.

Aging Out of Foster Care

• Approximately 20,000 youth age out of foster care each year without permanent family support.

Within 18 months of aging out:
• 20% experience homelessness
• Only 58% graduate high school by age 19
• Less than 5% earn a college degree

Youth who age out face significantly higher risks of unemployment, incarceration, and long-term poverty.

Mental & Emotional Well-Being

• Up to 80% of children in foster care experience significant mental health challenges related to trauma and instability.
• Foster youth are five times more likely to experience PTSD than their peers.
• Frequent placement changes increase risks of anxiety, depression, behavioral struggles, and academic delays.

Human Trafficking Risk & Vulnerability

• Youth with histories of foster care, homelessness, or family instability are among the most vulnerable populations for various forms of human trafficking.
• Studies indicate a majority of child sex trafficking victims had prior involvement with the child welfare system.
• Traffickers often target youth lacking stable housing, consistent caregivers, and emotional support systems.

Why These Numbers Matter

Behind every statistic is a child navigating uncertainty, loss, and change. These same children are the backbones of our future. Stability, dignity, and access to essential and mental health resources can significantly improve long-term outcomes and help children move forward with confidence and faith in themselves and their own future. Every child deserves stability, dignity, and support during life’s most difficult transitions

Sources

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Child Welfare Information Gateway
National Foster Youth Institute
Casey Family Programs
American Academy of Pediatrics
National Alliance on Mental Illness
U.S. Department of Justice
Polaris Project – National Human Trafficking Hotline

A Case of Faith uses nationally reported data to highlight the ongoing need for community support. Statistics are updated as new reports become available.