FOSTER CARE STATISTICS
NATIONAL STATISTICS
Did You Know -- 3,000,000 reports of child abuse or neglect are made every year in the United States?
- Children who experience child abuse and neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit a violent crime?
- Annually 600 teenage foster children turn 18 & "age-out" of foster care with limited support?
- 40% of foster children are between the ages of 13 and 21?
- 50% of foster children drop out of high school?
- It is estimated that nationally a foster youth change placements about once every six months?
- 50% of young women previously in foster care will become pregnant by 19 years old?
- 25% of young men previously in foster care will father a child by 19?
- 3 in 10 of the nation’s adult homeless are former foster youth?
- On average, only 7-13% of foster youth enroll in higher education?
- 1% of former foster children earn a college degree?
ARIZONA STATISTICS
Did You Know -
- As of February 24, 2009, Maricopa County has 6,891 children in foster care placements?
- Currently statewide there are approximately 10,000 children in foster care?
- 35,000 reports of child abuse or neglect were made in Arizona last year?
- In Arizona, 1,300 children a year wait more than three weeks in emergency shelters for a family?
- 60% of child abuse victims also suffer from neglect?
- A young child is more likely to die of child abuse or neglect in the Phoenix Metro Area than any other area in the Nation?
Yes, these statistics are shocking. The simple fact is that the children represented in these statistics did not choose to be abused. However, the statistics indicate that the abuse will have a life-long impact on these children.
Will you consider helping us bring Hope & A Future to the Arizona children in foster care? With your help, we can make a difference and positively change the life of those who have been abused or neglected.
SOURCES
- Lips, Dan (June 5, 2007). Foster Care Children Need Better Educational Opportunities. Retrieved June 22, 2009, from The Heritage Foundation Leadership for America Web site.
- Foster Care Statistics. Retrieved June 22, 2009, from Foster Club Web site.
- National Child Abuse Statistics. Retrieved June 22, 2009, from Child Help Web site.
- AB 490 Implementation: Ensuring Successful Education Outcomes for California’s Foster Youth. Submitted by the California Foster Youth Education Task Force. (2007). Retrieved on March 10, 2009.
- Bassett, L. & Emerson, J. (2008). Supporting Success: Improving higher education outcomes for students from foster care. Casey Family Programs. Retrieved Sept 21, 2008 from the Casey Family Programs Web site.
- Allen, M. (2004). Teens Aging Out of Foster Care in Oregon: The Importance of Transition Planning, Juvenile Rights Project, pg. 18
- Arizona's Foster Children. Retrieved June 22, 2009, from Arizonans for Children, Inc. Web site.
- Statistics & Research on Arizona Children. Retrieved June 22, 2009, from Arizona's Children Association Web site.
