Placement Stability

When children in the foster care system bounce from one foster home to another, it can adversely affect how they learn, develop friendships and form close relationships with the adults in their lives.

The stability of children in foster care also tells us a lot about how well the child-welfare system is working.

Understanding the issue

Bringing safety and stability to the lives of vulnerable children is a top priority for Washington state’s Department of Social and Health Services. But up until now, DSHS hasn’t had the hard data it needs to assess the problem, identify the gaps, and develop effective strategies.

What we’re doing

To help answer these critical questions, POC is working with the University of Chicago Chapin Hall to compare data from 15 states participating in its State Center for Foster Care and Adoption.

This study will, for the first time, help decision-makers see how our state compares with others on the issue of placement mobility of foster children.

Once this information is collected and assessed, POC will work with DSHS, appropriate state lawmakers, and the broader child-welfare community to develop strategies, policies and programs to ensure a stable and permanent home life for children in state care.