Los Angeles County

Facts

• Currently there are over 18,000 children and teens in Los Angeles County’s foster care system.

• 48% are 0 – 5 years old.

• 36% have been in foster care for 3 years or longer.

• 1 in 4 exhibit symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder such as, nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, intense efforts to avoid people and places associated with the trauma, irritability, poor concentration, and depression.

• Foster youth leaving or “aging out” of the foster care system experience additional challenges to leading fulfilling, productive lives:
  • 25% experience homelessness
  • 33% are incarcerated
  • 50% are unemployed
  • 33% receive public assistance

_{*Statistics quoted from the Center for Social Services Research, University of California Berkeley, School of Social Welfare.}