Arizona
Federal Audit Tracks Foster Youth Placements in Emergency Settings
More than 9,000 children in foster care had to temporarily stay in hotels, office buildings and other potentially unsafe settings when states couldn’t find suitable places for them, according to a new federal audit. The inspector general’s office of the…
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Key points
- A federal audit revealed over 9,000 U.S. foster youth were temporarily placed in hotels, offices, and state parks between Jan. 2022 and June 2023.
- Nearby Massachusetts reported zero emergency unlicensed placements, while New York did not track emergency housing data.
- A shortage of foster homes and high needs among older youth drove the reliance on unlicensed emergency stays.
NewsWK — A new federal audit shows that child welfare agencies across the country have routinely housed foster children in hotels, office buildings, and state parks due to a shortage of foster placements. While nearby Massachusetts reported zero emergency placements, the national report highlights widespread struggles to care for vulnerable youth with complex needs.
According to a report first published by Stateline, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General tracked more than 15,000 temporary emergency stays involving over 9,000 foster youth nationwide between Jan. 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023.
National Audit Findings
Child welfare agencies reported extreme difficulty finding appropriate settings for older youth and children with complex behavioral or mental health challenges. Federal auditors noted that these issues were amplified by the opioid epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic.
When preferred placements with relatives or licensed foster families were unavailable, states turned to emergency housing options.
- 1,922 stays took place in hotel rooms across 17 states.
- 2,698 stays occurred in office buildings across 22 states.
- 4,412 stays were recorded in other unlicensed facilities, including state park cabins, across 16 states.
The average length of an emergency stay was one week, with 59% lasting four days or fewer. However, 28% of placements lasted five days or longer, including one hotel stay that stretched for 251 days.
How Regional States Fare
The audit revealed significant differences in how nearby states handle child emergency housing. Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island reported that they did not place any children in emergency temporary settings during the 18-month audit period.
Meanwhile, neighboring New York was among eight states that did not track emergency temporary placements at all. Two states, Arizona and Texas, accounted for nearly half of all reported emergency stays in the nation.
How This Affects Our Area
Child welfare officials emphasize that placement with extended family members remains the primary goal when a child is removed from a home. Local residents interested in becoming licensed foster parents or supporting children in care can contact state family services departments in Vermont, Massachusetts, or New York for guidance on regional foster programs.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Based on reporting by Robbie Sequeira originally published by Stateline. Read the original story.
