Season 2 Episode#6: On Foster Care

Over 400,000 children were in foster care at the end of 2016 in the United States, an increase for the fourth year in a row, largely due to the opioid crisis. While on average children remain in the foster care system for 3 years, a considerable number remain for up to five years. While the primary goal of the foster care system is for children to be reunited with their families and relatives, this noble goal often falls short of its own expectations. Studies have shown that as many as 70 percent of placement changes for foster care children have nothing to do with improving their wellbeing. What are some of the major challenges facing the foster care system in the US? Students at The Bush School of Government and Public Service investigated the issue and discuss with the host the findings of their research and their proposed solutions to this public problem.