Wonder

Research Outline

Prepared for Amy X. | Delivered March 1, 2020

Foster Care in the U.S. & North Carolina

Goals

The goal of this research is to identify (1) the number of adoption agencies/foster care organizations in both North Carolina and the U.S., (2) the number of children living in adoption agencies/foster care organizations in both North Carolina and the U.S., and (3) some of the most-effective adoption agencies/foster care organizations. This research will be used to help determine branding and market positioning for an adoption agency/foster care organization.

Early Findings

In 2018, the U.S. had approximately 437,300 "children in foster care." That was the most-recent data we found.
In 2018, North Carolina had 17,280 "children in foster care." That was the most-recent data we found. The number of children in 2018 was up from 16,744 in 2017, 16,024 in 2016, 15,435 in 2015, 14,770 in 2014, and 13,762 in 2013. 
According to this list from the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services - Division of Social Services (which was updated on January 29, 2019), there are 45 adoption agencies in North Carolina (the name of each agency, along with contact information is provided in that document).
The U.S. has approximately "3,000 adoption agencies", which includes both private and public agencies. 