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  3. Journal of Economic Perspectives
  4. Spring 2022
  5. Economics of Foster Care

Journal of Economic Perspectives

ISSN 0895-3309 (Print) | ISSN 1944-7965 (Online)

Economics of Foster Care

  • Anthony Bald
  • Joseph J. Doyle Jr.
  • Max Gross
  • Brian A. Jacob
Journal of Economic Perspectives
vol. 36, no. 2, Spring 2022
(pp. 223–46)
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Abstract

Foster care provides substitute living arrangements to protect maltreated children. The practice is remarkably common: it is estimated that 5 percent of children in the United States are placed in foster care at some point during childhood. This paper describes the main tradeoffs in child welfare policy and provides background on policy and practice most in need of rigorous evidence. Trends include efforts to prevent foster care on the demand side and to improve foster home recruitment on the supply side. With increasing data availability and a growing interest in evidence-based practices, there are opportunities for economic research to inform policies that protect vulnerable children.

Citation

Bald, Anthony, Joseph J. Doyle Jr., Max Gross, and Brian A. Jacob. 2022. "Economics of Foster Care." Journal of Economic Perspectives, 36 (2): 223–46. DOI: 10.1257/jep.36.2.223

Additional Materials

JEL Classification

  • H75 State and Local Government: Health; Education; Welfare; Public Pensions
  • I38 Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty: Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
  • J13 Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth
  • J18 Demographic Economics: Public Policy
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