In 2009, more than half of the children entering foster care in the U.S. were children of color.

Black or African American children are more likely than other children to be reported, investigated, substantiated, and placed in foster care. These children stay longer in care and are less likely to be reunified with their families.

Thirty-one percent of the children in foster care are African American, double the percent of African American children in the population in America. While African American children are overrepresented in the child welfare system in every state, Asian children tend to be underrepresented.

Children of color, especially black children, and often American Indian children, face significant disparity within the child welfare system. They are more likely to have longer placements in out-of-home care, are less likely to receive comprehensive services, and are less likely to reunify with their families than white children.

The rates of child welfare involvement for black and American Indian children are more than twice those of white children. In one California study, two in five black children were likely to experience child welfare involvement by the time they were seven years old and one in 10 was likely to have experienced at least one foster care placement.

There is a strong correlation between race and permanent placement. While African American children are adopted at the same rate as other races, the adoption process takes much longer for these children than for others, with less chance of reunification with biological parents.

Learn More

• Read more facts about foster care in the U.S.
• Learn about the role of child welfare systems in providing care and services for children in state custody.
• Find out how Children’s Rights improves failing foster care system through our child welfare reform campaigns and policy advocacy.