The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Children's Bureau reports that in 2016 there were 437,465 children in the foster care system. Almost half of these children are placed in nonrelative foster homes. Sadly, the numbers for adoption out of foster care are on the decline in the latest study by the Child Welfare Information Gateway. Faith communities, acting out of the charge to "care for the least of these," can make a huge impact on these numbers. Foster care education groups can provide information on how to become foster and foster-to-adopt parents. They can also form support networks around foster parents. This kind of outreach encourages the democratic virtues of courage, purposefulness, sacrifice, and dignity. For more information please visit: The National Foster Care & Adoption Directory.
— Kristin Ritzau in Practicing Democracy with Your Faith Community by Kristin Ritzau, Mary Ann Brussat