Foster Care Fact Sheet

Who are foster children?

Foster children are abused and neglected children who come into the child welfare system for their protection. An estimated 424,000 children nationwide are the victims of abuse or neglect each year.

How many foster children are there?

According to the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO), the State of Ohio placed 11,672 children into foster care at the end of 2009, Hamilton County placed 1,269 children at year's end.

How long are children in foster care?

Foster care is a temporary solution. In 2009, the PCSAO estimates the average Ohio child remains in foster care is about 17 months. Here in Hamilton County, children are in foster care for about 20 months on average.

How old are they?

In Hamilton County, the children are:

 - 36% age 5 or under

 - 19% age 6 to 11

 - 45%  age 12 or older

What race?

In Hamilton County, the children are:

 - 63% African American

 - 31% white

 - 6% other or unknown

Boys or girls?

In Hamilton County, it is about an even split between boys and girls.

What happens to foster children?

In 2009 in Hamilton County:

 - 367 children returned to their family

 - 891 children went into the custody of relatives

 - 143 children aged out of care (reach the age of 18)

 - 92 children were adopted

 - 351 children were placed outside of Hamilton County