Foster Care Group Homes
vs Foster Care in a
Family Setting

Foster care group homes are supervised living arrangements for any minor or adult who is unable to live in a traditional family environment.

Differences Between Foster Care and Group Homes:

Placements:

Foster Care – a foster child lives in a family setting, with foster parents

Group Homes – these homes are more like dormitories, the residents may become close friends or they may even consider one another family

Age of Residents:

Foster Care – provides a temporary family to minors under the age of 18

Group Homes – a living arrangement for adults or children who are unable to live independently

Reasons for Placements:

Foster Care – these children are often unable to live with their families because of abuse, neglect, parental imprisonment, or behavioral issues.

Group Homes – this type of arrangement is usually for adults or children with disabilities or behavior problems, where they can get the professional assistance they need. However, some group homes are staffed with relatively young shift workers with high turnover.

Financing:

Foster Care – foster families are given funds by a state or county social service agency, who then monitors decisions related to care.

Group Homes - can be financed by organizations, either profit or nonprofit, or funded by the government.

Goals of Care:

Foster Care – to provide children with a safe temporary environment until they can rejoin their family, become adopted, or until they become an adult at the age of 18.

Group Homes - to either provide long-term care to children with unsettling behaviors or to help people become independent so they eventually can live on their own.

Unfortunately, both foster care and foster care group homes are not able to accommodate the many people in need of their services. It is not out of the norm to have waiting lists to receive foster care or be admitted to group homes.

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