2011 Report Looks at the State of Child Welfare

While there’s been no significant change in the overall number of Pennsylvania children in foster care, more are being placed in family settings and fewer are being placed in group homes, according to the Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children State of Child Welfare report.  “Safety has to be first, but permanency needs to be an important goal,” says PPC President & CEO Joan Benso.  “Unfortunately, children who live in congregate care settings – group homes and institutions – tend to have poorer outcomes across the board.” 

While Benso is encouraged by the trend, she says there’s still work to do.  “The national average of children living in congregate care is 15% vs. 22% in Pennsylvania,” she tells Radio PA. 

Looking ahead to 2012, Benso wants to make older teenagers a priority.  “For teenagers the circumstances are pretty tricky,” Benso explains.  “At 18-years-old, except for some very few circumstances… you have to leave foster care.” 

Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children began issuing the State of Child Welfare report in 2009.  Back then, 67.7% of children were placed in family settings.  In 2011, that number was 71.4%.  Results are also broken down by county.