An organization tracking the number of licensed foster homes by state ranks Maryland second in highest rate of decline in recent years – with most other states also experiencing a decline in participation.
A recent report on the number of licensed foster care facilities by state shows Maryland with a 38 percent decline in number of licensed foster homes from 2021 to 2022. This number put Maryland second only to South Carolina, which posted a 61 percent drop. The total number of licensed foster homes in Maryland for 2022, according to the information, was 2,018. This annual total was comparable to other states including Virginia, New Jersey, Connecticut, Alabama, and Colorado.
The research was compiled and released in partnership between The Imprint, an online news source reporting on child welfare policy, and The Who Cares project, with funding the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Information regarding both outlets, methodology, and limitations can be found on the data dashboard that shows state-by-state totals from 2018 to 2022. Of the 50 states, 37 showed a decline while others posted increases in capacity. Colorado and California posted the highest rates of increase for 2022 at 16 percent with a total of 1,846 and 37,870 licensed homes, respectively.
