Through no fault of their own, more than 400,000 US children are currently in foster care. They include victims of abuse, neglect, and abandonment, and all have experienced some form of trauma. The number of foster kids waiting to be adopted exceeds 117,000.

The average foster child in our country is eight years old and has spent 21 months in foster care. Most children in foster care will eventually reunite with their families, and nearly 25 percent will be adopted—often by their foster parents.

However, approximately 20,000 children age out of foster care annually (at 18 or 21, depending on the state in which they reside). And, unfortunately, foster children have an increased risk of experiencing poor educational outcomes, homelessness, and unemployment.

In many ways, foster children are just like other kids. They are growing and discovering, enjoy playing and hanging out with friends, and crave love and stability.

More foster care statistics are available on the Administration for Children & Families website.