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 875,000 children are the victims of abuse or neglect each year.

How many foster children are there?

Approximately 500,000 around the nation at any one time, 18,000 in Ohio and about 850 in Hamilton County.

How long are children in foster care?

Foster care is a temporary solution. Nationally, children stay in care for an average of about 28 months. In Ohio, it’s about 25. Here in Hamilton County, children are in foster care for less than a year, on average.

How old are they?

In Hamilton County, the children are:

 - 33% age 3 or under

 - 38% age 4 to 10

 - 29%  age 11 or older

What race?

In Hamilton County, the children are:

 - 52% African American

 - 32% white

 - 16% 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 Hamilton County:

 - 36% will return to their family

 - 28% will go into the custody of relatives

 - 15% will reach the age of 18

 - 12% will be adopted

 - 9% will go into other placements