The share of children in the California foster care system has
dropped by 45 percent since 2000. This decline far outpaced the rest of
the nation. The authors report that a more intense focus by local and
state policymakers on child-welfare issues is at least partially
responsible. They also note that serious challenges remain: among them, a
continuing overrepresentation of black children in foster care.
This research was supported with funding from the Stuart Foundation.