Definition

Noun: * A system of care: "Foster care" refers to a temporary, supervised living arrangement for children and youth who cannot safely live with their biological parents or legal guardians. This care is typically provided by state-certified caregivers (foster parents) in a family home or, in some cases, a group home or institution.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The child was placed in foster care after the court determined her home was unsafe.
  • They decided to open their home and provide foster care for teenagers.
  • The goal of the foster care system is often family reunification.

Advanced Usage

• "to be in foster care": to be living under this supervised, substitute care arrangement.
  • She spent most of her childhood in foster care.
• "to enter/come into foster care": to be placed into this system.
  • The siblings entered foster care together.
• "to age out of foster care": to reach the age (often 18 or 21) at which state-provided foster care support ends.
  • Programs exist to support youth who are about to age out of foster care.

Variants and Related Words

• Foster parent/foster mother/foster father (n): a person who is certified to provide foster care in their home.
  • His foster parents provided a stable and loving environment.
• Foster child/foster youth (n): a minor who is in the foster care system.
  • The agency works to find permanent families for foster children.
• Foster home (n): the family home where foster care is provided.
  • She lived in several different foster homes.

Synonyms

• Substitute care: a more formal or technical term for similar supervised care arrangements.
• Out-of-home care: a broad term encompassing foster care, group homes, and institutional care.

Related Phrases

• Foster care system: the entire network of laws, agencies, and services that manage foster care.
  • He advocated for reforms to the foster care system.
• Foster care placement: the act or instance of assigning a child to a specific foster care setting.
  • Finding the right foster care placement is crucial for the child's well-being.

Noun

1. supervised care for delinquent or neglected children usually in an institution or substitute home