Child Reunification Period Statistics

In this post, we present a comprehensive look at the child reunification period within the foster care system, backed by a range of compelling statistics. These statistics shed light on various aspects of the reunification process, including the average time taken for families to reunite, the rates of children returning home, the demographics of reunified children, and factors influencing reunification outcomes. Understanding these statistics is crucial in informing policies and practices aimed at better supporting children and families involved in the foster care system.

Statistic 1

"On average, families usually complete reunification within 1 year of a child's entry into foster care."

Statistic 2

"Approximately 50% of children who enter foster care return home to their families."

Statistic 3

"An estimated 16% of children exit care but return within a decade."

Statistic 4

"Nearly 250,000 children were reunified within a year of entering foster care."

Statistic 5

"Children aged 1-5 years had the highest rates of reunification, at 53% in 2019."

Statistic 6

"The median length of stay in foster care before reunification is 5.4 months."

Statistic 7

"3% of children experience a subsequent placement within one week of reunification."

Statistic 8

"In 2015, 88.5% of children were reunified with a primary caregiver."

Statistic 9

"Children who are minorities spent longer in foster care before reunification compared to their non-minority peers."

Statistic 10

"Approximately 18% of reunified children reenter foster care."

Statistic 11

"Parents with substance abuse disorders have a reunification rate of 58.8%."

Statistic 12

"More than 56% of children in foster care in 2018 were reunified with their parents or primary caregivers."

Statistic 13

"About 6% of children in foster care were reunified with other family members (2017 data)."

Statistic 14

"In 2019, 49% of children who exited foster care were reunified with their parents or caretakers."

Statistic 15

"In 2018, a total of 56% reentered foster care within 12 months of reunification."

Statistic 16

"In 2018, less than 3% of children were reunified within a month of the child's removal."

In conclusion, the statistics presented highlight various trends and outcomes related to child reunification within the foster care system. These statistics show that, on average, families complete reunification within a year of a child’s entry into foster care, with approximately half of children returning home. However, there are challenges, such as a significant percentage of children re-entering care within a decade, as well as disparities based on age, race, and parental circumstances. It is crucial for policymakers and social service agencies to address these complexities to ensure the well-being and stability of children in foster care and their families.