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It can be difficult to fully appreciate how significant the foster care problem is in this country - until you look at the numbers. Although the problem seems too big, by mobilizing the Christian community we have the opportunity to make a significant impact.

The foster care system

• In 2007, there were 783,000 children in foster care in this country1. In Georgia, that number was 12,7982 - with only 4,9633 homes to serve them.

• While in foster care, almost 60% of foster children in Georgia will be moved two or more times.4

• In 2007, 276,0005 children nationally (8,967 in Georgia6), were placed permanently, which means they were either reunited with their families, adopted, placed with a relative or in guardianship or "aged out" of the system at the age of 18.

• In the U.S., 60% of children placed into foster care are there because of neglect. Other reasons include physical abuse (10%) and sexual abuse (8%).7

• Children in this country spend, on average, 28.3 months in foster care.8 In Georgia, almost half of foster children spend less than one year in foster care, 41% spend between 1-3 years and 9% are there for four years or more.9

• Each year, almost half of the foster families in the system leave the system within one year.10

The Church

• There are approximately 400,000 churches in this country, with 14,000 in Georgia.11

• Of the nearly 100,000,000 evangelical Christians in the United States, over 3% live in Georgia.12


1. According to the US Dept. of Health & Human Services (Trends in Foster Care and Adoption FY 2002 - FY 2007) ( http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/afcars/trends.htm)
2. From House Bill 1406 report "Child Welfare in Georgia" State Fiscal Year 2007, p5-30 "Children in DFCS Custody"
3. From House Bill 1406 report "Child Welfare in Georgia" State Fiscal Year 2007, - p iv
4. From House Bill 1406 report "Child Welfare in Georgia" State Fiscal Year 2007 - figure 10, p vii
5. From AFCARS Report, Preliminary 2006 Estimates as of January 2008 "What were the outcomes for the children exiting foster care during FY 2006"( http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/afcars/tar/report14.htm)
6. From House Bill 1406 report "Child Welfare in Georgia" State Fiscal Year 2007, figure 12, pviii
7. National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being, http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/opre/abuse_neglect/nscaw/reports/children_fostercare/children_fostercare.html
8. AFCARS Report, Preliminary 2006 Estimates as of January 2008; "What were the lengths of stay in foster care" ( http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/afcars/tar/report14.htm)
9. From House Bill 1406 report "Child Welfare in Georgia" State Fiscal Year 2007 - figure 11, p vii
10.Permanency Planning Today, 2000, and Annie E. Casey Foundation, 1998.
11. http://www.americanchurchlists.com
12. "How many evangelicals are there?" Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals, Wheaton College