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How Long are Children in Foster Care?

By Carrie Craft, About.com

Question: How Long are Children in Foster Care?

Answer: How long a child is in a foster home depends on the case situation and each case is different. According to the AFCARS Report (Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System Report), by September 30, 2001, the average length of stay in a foster home was 33 months. 17% of the children were in a home for one to five months while another 17% were in a home for five years. 15% were in a home for six to eleven months.

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