Arkansas’s Children in Foster Care

The number of children in Arkansas’s foster care system has decreased over the past few years. In 2021, there were 4,854 children in care. That number decreased to 4,524 in 2022 and then to 4,023 in 2023. This is a good sign, but there are still many challenges.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it became harder for families to get the support they needed. Many children had to stay in foster care longer because services were delayed. When caseworkers were out sick, there were not enough staff members to help children and families.

The Family First Prevention Services Act, passed in 2018, helps guide how foster care works. It focuses on keeping children safe with their families whenever possible. If a child cannot stay at home, the law encourages placing them with relatives or in a family foster home. It also tries to limit the use of group homes, which can be more harmful for children.