Support for LAist comes from
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Stay Connected
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen
Podcasts Take Two
Shortage of foster parents straining Los Angeles County's child welfare system
solid orange rectangular banner
()
Aug 20, 2013
Listen 5:17
Shortage of foster parents straining Los Angeles County's child welfare system
Traditionally, the foster care system has struggled with a shortage of homes for older children. Suddenly, there's a need of foster parents for babies and no one is sure why.
The living room area at the Children's Welcome Center operated by L.A. County's Department of Children and Family Services.
The living room area at the Children's Welcome Center operated by L.A. County's Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
(
Courtesy L.A. County DCFS
)

Traditionally, the foster care system has struggled with a shortage of homes for older children. Suddenly, there's a need of foster parents for babies and no one is sure why.

Every month, thousands of children are removed from their homes in Los Angeles County and placed in foster care. It usually takes longer to place an older child because foster parents tend to shy away from troubled kids who may be dealing with serious issues.

But in the past year, child welfare workers say the situation has reversed. KPCC's Rina Palta reports on a growing shortage of homes for babies and toddlers, and the effect it's having on the system