What is foster care: Discuss various factors of foster care indicated by the authors as noteworthy. ...

Foster care is the placement of a child in the temporary care of a family other than its own as a result of state intervention into problems that are taking place within the birth family; can be used as a temporary shelter while a permanent adoption effort is being arranged.
 African American children comprise the largest proportion of children in care.
 Over one-quarter of all children in care are under age 5.
 Most children are placed in nonrelative foster homes, but substantial numbers are also placed with relatives or in group homes or institutions.
 Of those children exiting care, most are reunited with their birth parents or primary caretakers, or are adopted.
 A child is more likely to enter care due to neglect than due to physical, sexual, and psychological abuse combined.
 Living within the foster care system can be a trying and emotionally traumatic experience for children. It is estimated that somewhere between 30 to 80 percent of children in foster care exhibit emotional and/or behavioral problems.
 Many are traumatized by their experiences before entering foster care, while others are troubled by the foster care experience itself.
 Within three months of placement, many children exhibit signs of depression, aggression, or withdrawal. Children in foster care are often forced to change schools, placing them at risk educationally. It comes as no surprise that many youths leaving foster care end up in jail or on public assistance.