How Many Foster Parents Are There With Criminal Records: 2023 Stats

How many foster parents are there with criminal records in the U.S.?

The latest statistics show that the number of children in foster care is steadily declining, but there are still thousands of children that are looking for permanent homes.

But, many people are surprised to learn that there are foster parents with criminal records, since criminal history information is generally taken on a case-by-case basis when states determine foster parent eligibility.

This complete guide outlines how many foster parents are there with criminal records, as well as a number of other facts about current foster parents in the U.S. as well as how to undergo a foster parent background check.

How Many Foster Parents Are There?

Many individuals have no idea how many children there are in the foster care system in the U.S. making questions like, how many foster parents are there, quite common.

Numbers change every year but the most recent numbers from Who Cares,¹ show that the total of licensed foster homes has been dropping steadily over the last few years, with about 214,000 officially licensed homes as of 2020.

Average Length of Foster Care Placement

The average length of foster care placement is a major cause for concern with social services. With all children, the goal is to find the child a permanent home as quickly as possible and to prevent them from moving from one foster care home to another.

On average social services estimates that most children will be in foster care between 6 and 18 months, however, it can be far longer or shorter, depending on a variety of factors.

The chart shows how long children tend to spend in foster care.

The average age that children leave foster care is another common cause for discussion.

The attached chart shows the average age that children leave foster care for a permanent living arrangement in the United States.

Foster Care Trauma Statistics

Many individuals who are considering foster care and asking questions like how many foster parents are there, may have grown concerned upon seeing foster care trauma statistics.

Although there is significant evidence that an extremely high number of children in foster care have been victims of abuse and other forms of trauma, there is little reliable data on the matter.

Not only would this data need to be gathered on children, but there is also the issue of when the trauma occurred: Before or during their time in foster care.

Foster care provides a temporary living arrangement for children who need to be placed away from their home to protect them from danger or abuse.

However, when it comes to the number of traumatic experiences among children in foster care, studies have shown that a significant amount of children have had above-average exposure to traumatic experiences.

Much of this trauma is related to the reason that the child ended up in foster care at all, for example, parental substance abuse and physical abuse of the child are one of the most common reasons for a child to enter foster care.

Foster Care Statistics by State

When it comes to foster care statistics by state, many individuals will be surprised at the vast differences in the rate of foster care from state to state.

Currently, Alaska, Montana, and West Virginia have the highest number of children in foster care as a percentage of the total child population in the state.

Individuals can use the table below to look at the foster care statistics by state.

Number of Children in Foster Care by State

The number of children in foster care by state includes individuals who were in foster care for any amount of time and includes individuals up to the age of 20. Data was gathered from Who Cares.¹

How Many Foster Families Are There in the US by State?

Many individuals are curious about how many foster families are there in the US. As expected, there are fewer foster families nationwide than there are foster children.

Although this may seem especially concerning, keep in mind that many foster families will take in multiple children when possible.

U.S. Foster Care System Statistics

Those looking for U.S. foster care system statistics will likely be able to find a fair amount of information gathered by private and nonprofit agencies.

Although some information is difficult to obtain, these organizations have gathered tons of information that can help to confront important issues facing the foster care system.

Aging Out of Foster Care Statistics

Many individuals will have heard that a significant amount of children will simply become too old to be in foster care and will want to know about aging out of foster care statistics.

Although no data is gathered on this issue by official agencies, the Annie E. Casey Foundation estimates that around 26,000 children simply age out of foster care every year. Many of these individuals will end up homeless.

Foster Parent Demographics Religion

Another common question individuals have about foster care in the US is in regard to foster parent demographics and religion.

Unfortunately, there is almost no useful data regarding religion, ethnicity, age, or any other information regarding foster parents. This is due to the fact that most of the individuals who are foster parents, do so privately.

Abuse in Foster Care Statistics

Similar to demographic data of foster parents, there are very few reputable sources for abuse in foster care statistics. However, there are plenty of organizations and agencies, such as the CDC that gather data on child abuse statistics in the country.

Children in Foster Care Statistics

Examining children in foster care statistics can help social services ultimately limit the number of children that are displaced from their homes by examining risk behaviors and implementing services to help children and parents exhibiting high-risk behaviors.

Individuals can use the tables below to examine foster care statistics in the U.S. by various demographics. Data was gathered by the Administration of Children and Families.

How Many Babies Are Given Up for Adoption Each Year?

When it comes to how many babies are given up for adoption each year, the most accurate data will examine the average age of individuals entering foster care each year.

How Many Babies Are Put Up for Adoption Each Year Worldwide?

Gathering data for how many babies are put up for adoption each year worldwide is extremely difficult. Not only do many countries not keep track of this data, among countries that do, but it can also be hard to verify their exact methodology for gathering the data.

However, data gathered by UNICEF estimates that there are approximately 18.5 million children worldwide that have lost both parents.

Foster Parent Background Check

Perhaps the most common question that individuals who are considering fostering a child will have is about the foster parent background check, and what it entails.

The foster parent background check is fairly straightforward but does involve more checks than many individuals will be used to. Especially those that are only familiar with what shows up on a background check for employment.

Parents who are interested in creating a foster home to help children must undergo a fingerprint background check that examines criminal history as well as other information.

The type of checks that must be performed on all prospective foster parents is mandated at both the state and federal levels.

The check for foster parents falls under the same laws that govern all childcare background checks, which is required of any individual who will have unsupervised access to children in an official capacity. This includes child abuse background checks, a teaching background check, school bus drivers, school administration, foster parents, and more.

The checks required by the federal government cover what kind of checks need to be performed, who they need to be performed on, and how often they need to be performed.

Who Needs a Child Care Background Check?

Anyone will have unsupervised access to children will need a childcare background check.

When it comes to foster parents this is especially important. Not only will the foster parents themselves need to undergo and pass the types of background checks required to qualify, but any other residents in the home over the age of 16 will also need to undergo a check as well.

How Often Do I Need To Get a Background Check?

Federal laws mandate that individuals in the childcare industry, including foster, care parents will need to undergo a background check at least every 5 years.

However, when it comes to differences between state and federal childcare background checks this is the most common place where individuals will notice slight differences. Many states have passed laws that require individuals to undergo checks every 3 years instead of 5.

Individuals should always check their local laws before assuming the check is every 5 years.

What Does a Child Care Background Check Include?

When it comes to federal laws for child care or foster care background checks, the following checks will need to be performed at a minimum. Keep in mind that every state implements these laws slightly differently and some states may require additional checks.

• FBI Criminal History check (Fingerprint-based check)
• National sex offender registry check (name-based check)
• State Criminal History Check (Name-based for past states, fingerprint-based check for the current state of residence)
• State Sex Offender Registry check
• State Child-abuse and neglect registry check

Individuals who have questions about the background check or related process can check the website of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for more information.

Can Felons Be Foster Parents?

When it comes to the common question of, whether can felons be foster parents, the answer might surprise a lot of people. Individuals will not be disqualified from being foster parents for simply having a felony conviction on their record.

However, not all felony convictions will be overlooked and any criminal history information will factor into the final decision.

The main crimes that are considered automatic disqualifiers are what most individuals would expect. The following crimes will immediately disqualify an individual from being a foster parent.

Keep in mind that the child care background check will cover an individual’s entire criminal history, so individuals who have committed the following crimes will be barred from becoming foster parents for life.

• Any violent crime
• Any child abuse crimes
• Felony sexual crimes

Foster Parent Statistics

There are numerous government and private organizations that gather valuable data on foster parents and foster children in the United States. Foster parent statistics have shown numerous reassuring trends.

For example, the total number of children in foster care has been steadily declining over the last 5 years.

California’s Department of Social Services explains that the statistics in the Child Welfare Indicator Project tracks the information needed to make the program better and more effective at reuniting families when possible.

Looking at these statistics can also help to identify trends that may have a higher chance of leading to a child entering foster care as well as examine foster care numbers across different ethnicity statistics and states.

Can a Foster Child Live With a Felon?

When it comes to can a foster child live with a felon, the answer is usually yes. Unless the parent has been convicted of a violent crime, sex crime, or any crime relating to child abuse, then they will not be disqualified by their criminal history.

However, the foster parent process is fairly intensive and there are many factors that are considered before social services will allow an individual to become a foster parent.

Another thing that individuals should consider is that it’s not just the foster parent or parents themselves that will need to undergo a background check and not have certain felonies on their record. Any resident of the home will be subject to the same check and have the same disqualifiers.

What Is a Non-Offending Parent in CPS Case?

Some individuals might have heard the term non-offending parent in regard to a CPS case and will be wondering what is considered a non-offending parent. The answer doesn’t necessarily involve who is at fault, only who CPS is formally investigating.

In a two-parent household, the non-offending parent is the one that is not under investigation.

Being the non-offending parent in CPS case can be a very uncomfortable and potentially volatile situation to be in.

Individuals should understand their legal rights as non-offending parents and should try to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. This will greatly increase the chances of the child staying with the non-offending parent.

CPS cases can be extremely complicated and legal counsel will be an invaluable asset to have.

How Many Foster Parents Are There?

When it comes to how many foster parents there are, individuals should know that the number of foster parents tends to rise with the number of foster children. Many of these parents will be fostering multiple children at a time, and others may go long periods of time without fostering any.

Individuals who are interested in adoption should contact their local state resources to learn about eligibility.

Deciding whether or not to adopt or become a foster parent is a huge decision. Individuals should always do as much research on their state’s adoption statistics so they can have a better idea of the extent of the foster child problems in the U.S. and be able to answer questions like How many foster parents are there?

Frequently Asked Questions About How Many Foster Parents Are There?