Grounded in our mission, vision, and values, we partner with communities and governments to align policy, funding, and practice—supporting families early and before separation becomes the default response.
Founded in 2016, Foster America began with a simple yet urgent goal: to create an alternative to child welfare systems that too often separate families when support could keep them safely together. Over time, our work showed that lasting change requires more than leadership alone.
It requires aligned policy, reimagined funding, community leadership, and shared learning across places.
Our approach brings together co-design, collaboration, flexible funding systems, and continuous learning to help communities redesign how foster care and child welfare systems operate.
Less than 15% of child welfare funding is dedicated to prevention.
Our work helps communities and systems shift resources toward prevention-first approaches that strengthen families and reduce unnecessary separation. We focus on addressing root causes, elevating lived expertise, and aligning resources to support families before a crisis occurs.
Foster America’s work is made possible through partnerships with governments, community organizations, philanthropy, and individuals with lived experience. Together, we test new ideas, strengthen systems, and build the conditions for change to last across states, counties, and communities.
Meet the people leading Foster America’s work across communities and systems—bringing expertise, lived experience, and a shared commitment to prevention-first change.
In 2026, Foster America marks a decade of building an alternative to a child welfare system rooted in crisis—and proving that families thrive when support comes early, with dignity, and led by community.
