Statistics on Foster Care in Santa Barbara County

Check out these statistics from kidsdata.org Taking a look at Santa Barbara County specifically, and also California at large.

Number of Children in Foster Care: 1998 - 2010 

Number of Children in Foster Care, by Age: 2010

Santa Barbara County	Number
Under 1	20
Ages 1-2	82
Ages 3-5	104
Ages 6-10	140
Ages 11-15	151
Ages 16-20	76
Total Children in Foster Care	573

California	Number
Under 1	3,115
Ages 1-2	7,406
Ages 3-5	8,605
Ages 6-10	11,986
Ages 11-15	15,321
Ages 16-20	11,579
Total Children in Foster Care	58,012

Number of Children in Foster Care, by Race/Ethnicity: 2010

Santa Barbara County	Number
African American/Black	40
Asian/Pacific Islander	1
Caucasian/White	153
Hispanic/Latino	376
Native American	3
Total Children in Foster Care	573

California	Number
African American/Black	14,946
Asian/Pacific Islander	1,497
Caucasian/White	14,375
Hispanic/Latino	26,365
Native American	778
Total Children in Foster Care	58,012

First Entries into Foster Care, by Reason for Removal: 2007-2009

Santa Barbara County	Percent
Neglect	87.2%
Physical Abuse	8.4%
Sexual Abuse	1.6%
Other	2.8%

California	Percent
Neglect	79.7%
Physical Abuse	11.0%
Sexual Abuse	3.5%
Other	5.8%

May is National Foster Care Month

May is National Foster Care Month...You Can Change a Lifetime!

Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to shine a light on the experiences of the more than 400,000 children and youth in the foster care system. The campaign raises awareness about the urgent needs of these young people and encourages citizens from every walk of life to get involved – as foster or adoptive parents, volunteers, mentors, employers or in other ways. With the help of dedicated people, many formerly abused or neglected children and teens will either reunite safely with their parents, be cared for by relatives or be adopted by loving families. Many children would not have to enter foster care at all if more states provided support and services to help families cope with crises early on. Thanks to the many advocates, child welfare professionals, elected officials and support groups around the country, the total number of children in foster care has decreased over recent years.  But more help is needed. Every year, approximately 30,000 young people leave the foster care system without lifelong families – most at age 18. On their own, these young adults must navigate a weakened economy offering fewer jobs and less support for vital services such as housing. They need – and deserve – caring adults who love and support them. We call on all Americans to join us in helping to change a lifetime of a child or youth in foster care. No matter who you are or how much time you have to give, you can help create permanent, lifelong connections for these children and youth. All children — including the 424,000 American children and youth in foster care — deserve a safe, happy life. Young people in foster care especially need nurturing adults on their side because their own families are in crisis and unable to care for them. Source: http://www.fostercaremonth.org/Pages/default.aspx For more information on National Foster Care Month click here