In this article, Howard Talenfeld, explores how the U.S. foster care system is failing to meet the needs of the hundreds of thousands of children it serves each year. He notes how, despite an annual investment of roughly $8 billion, too many children experience instability, repeated moves, and a lack of the consistent, supportive relationships essential for healthy development. The system often focuses more on managing placements than on building permanent, nurturing environments where children can thrive.
Advocates argue that meaningful reform must prioritize family preservation, kinship care, and early intervention to prevent unnecessary removals. Greater investment in mental health support, legal advocacy for foster youth, and community-based solutions could help shift the system from one that reacts to crises to one that fosters stability and long-term well-being. Without these changes, the cycle of instability and poor outcomes for foster youth will continue.