Florida’s Foster Care System*
- A child is abused or neglected every 4 minutes.
- 134,567 children are victims of abuse of neglect each year
- 29,229 children are in foster care
- 3,046 children are adopted from foster care each year
The average length of stay in foster care was 33 months; and 18% had been in care for 5 years or longer.**
Licensed foster parents are paid between $443 and $546 per month, depending on age, for room and board.
Less than half of the children removed from their homes are in licensed care.
Non-relatives who are not licensed as foster parents are eligible for no financial benefits or support other than Medicaid.
Children placed in out-of-home care with unlicensed relatives are eligible for less than half of the financial benefits paid foster parents if they qualify and file a claim against the parent for child support.
District 8 Foster Care System***
(Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Hendry & Glades Counties)
- 1655 in foster care system
- 9% available for adoption
- 51% male 49% female
- 53% Caucasian
- 21% latino
- 24% African-American or Bi-racial
- 2% other origins
* Information provided by the Children's Defense Fund
** Department of Children & Families Data
*** Information provided by Children's Network of SW Florida