American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) Children Are Overrepresented in Foster Care in States With the Largest Proportions of AIAN Children [childtrends.org]

By Deana Around Him, Child Trends, November 8, 2022

In the 10 states with the largest proportions of American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) children, AIAN children are overrepresented in foster care in nearly every state when comparing their percentages in the foster care and total child populations (see figure below). Of these 10 states, the percentage of AIAN children in foster care was highest in South Dakota, Alaska, and North Dakota; and lowest in Arizona, Oregon, and Nebraska. These findings are derived from federal fiscal year 2020 data, the most recent year available.

Please access the findings from Child Trends here: American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) Children Are Overrepresented in Foster Care in States with the Largest Proportions of AIAN Children