Sunday, November 23, 2008

Foster Care System Report

Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children released a report that says about 30 percent of the children in foster care in the state have no prospect of a permanent family.

The PPC’s report explains that federal law directs a child welfare agency to petition the court for the involuntary termination of parental rights if a child has been in foster care for 15 months out of a 22-month period, unless compelling reasons exist not to terminate parental rights.

As of March 2008, nearly 19 percent of the children in foster care in McKean County, which was 16 children, had been there 17 months or longer. Of that, eight children still had reunification with family as a case goal; one had, as a case goal, to live with relatives; four had long-term foster care; one had emancipation and two had guardianship as goals.

Statistics:

* The total number of children in foster care was 85, and the median length of stay for those children was 11 months

* One child who was released to adoption had spent 125 months — or 10.4 years — in foster care. That number is higher than those reported for any other county in the state

* Two children who went into guardianship spent a median of 63 months — 5.25 years — in foster care

* Two children who were released to an unnamed “other” had spent a median time of 27 months in foster care

* Thirty-six children left foster care to return home to their parents after just one month

* Four children went to other relatives after one month

* Five children “aged out” of the system

The report also spells out the number of children reunified with their families between April 1, 2006 and March 31, 2007 — and then re-entered foster care within 12 months. There were 86 reunifications and 35 re-entries in total.

Full Article and Source:
Agency releases report on children in foster care

See also:
Large Percentage of Foster Children in Limbo in PA

Foster system faulted for not placing kids

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