The Challenge
For many children, the path to adulthood is rough. Right now, more than 435,000 children are growing up in foster homes; 120,000 have been permanently separated from their parents and are waiting for adoption; 20,000 will turn 18 and “age out” without family support. We have a responsibility to do better. Preserving and strengthening families can allow children to grow up safely in their own homes without the trauma of family separation, and effective services can be the bridge to adulthood for young people who leave foster care alone.
Our Approach
Decades of experience and research have taught us this: a family does a better job of raising a child than the state. We provide and advocate for innovative, evidence-based, family-focused services designed to bring help and hope to children and their families, as well as proven services for young adults turning 18 in foster care.
1 in 20
children and youth in the U.S. are in state foster care systems
120,000+
are waiting for a new family through adoption
Our Impact
We’re changing the lives of thousands of children, families and young people every year through our direct services and partnerships with organizations and agencies around the country. Our work is to transform children’s systems, deepen our impact and deliver better results one child and one family at a time.
States
Locations
%
success rate
- Youth Villages States
- Partnering States
- Both Youth Villages and Partnering States
Ambition
Stories of Hope
Helping children and families live successfully
Update ‘A Home for Every Child’ initiative
The Administration for Children and Families’ ‘A Home for Every Child’ initiative gives states a new focus to streamline the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) with one goal: achieving a 1:1 ratio of children to available foster home. As developments are moving quickly, Impact & Insights will provide regular updates on the initiative.
ACF fast-tracks seven in-home programs as part of the ‘A Home for Every Child’ initiative
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is accelerating state and tribal use of seven evidence-based in-home services/home visiting programs as part of its drive to achieve a foster home-to-child ratio greater than 1:1 in every state.
Georgia MATCH effort helps families find the right support sooner
Nick, 17, had been living in hotels around Atlanta with his mom and two siblings for more than a year. There was physical and emotional abuse, food insecurity, prevalent substance abuse, and very little structure or supervision. Diagnosed with ADHD and intellectual disabilities, Nick started acting out. He was suspended from school twice in just a few weeks, took his mother’s car without permission and refused his medication.
MAKE A CAREER OUT OF CHANGING LIVES
Do you share our passion for helping children and families live successfully? We’ve got a place for you.