MORE SC FOSTER CARE FACTS

• In 2008, more than 9,000 SC children spent time in foster care. On any given day, there are approximately 5,400 SC children in foster care.[1]

• Children who spend at least one year in foster care will, on average, spend four years in care and live in four different homes before moving to a ‘forever’ home or aging out of SC’s system. In 2007, almost 3,000 children fell in this category.[2]

• In 2007, over 400 youth turned 18 or were emancipated from care in South Carolina. More than half were in therapeutic placements at the time of their last review.[3]

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[1] SC Department of Social Services
[2] SC Children’s Foster Care Review Board, “2007-2008 Annual Report and Recommendations.”
[3] SC Children’s Foster Care Review Board, “2007-2008 Annual Report and Recommendations.”