HomeAbout Arise

Too often, the children in foster lag behind national standards in relation to the minimal care and protection we strive to achieve for children. As a result, youth in foster care often transition into adulthood without the tools and support they need to thrive.

• On any given day, there are nearly 437,000 children in foster care in the United States. Here in California, there are over 60,000 children in the foster care system.

• Many children in California’s foster care system experience frequent placement changes. Children who are in foster care for 24 months or longer, 15% experienced five or more placements, and 44% experienced three or more placements.

• Youth exiting foster care shared that they often lacked strong and supportive relationships. While extending foster care until age 21 has improved outcomes for youth, many youths still exit care without the support and guidance they need to transition successfully.

• Children in foster care have experienced abuse, neglect, and other adverse childhood experiences that can negatively impact their health. Half of all kids in foster care have endured four or more adverse childhood experiences.

• Unique challenges can prevent students in foster care from attending school. Youth in foster care are more likely to be chronically absent (miss 10% or more days of school) than other underserved youth due to home placement changes, school transfers, court hearings, and parental visitation.

• In California, the statewide average high school graduation rate by youth is 83%. Of students in foster care, only 53% will graduate on time.

• It’s estimated that one-third of all the nation’s unaccompanied homeless youth are in California.

• Research indicates foster youth experience rates of homelessness ranging from 11% to 38%, disproportionately higher than that of the general population.