Background

PlainFoster is an independent data-journalism portal that turns the ACF AFCARS federal case-level foster care and child welfare reporting system into plain-language state profiles using public government data. Content on the portal is compiled by our editorial team, and the team does not accept payment from entities it covers to maintain editorial independence. Through this approach, the team provides neutral, fact-based insights into foster care and child welfare outcomes.

How to use this site

PlainFoster publishes reference material, data-driven pages, and explanatory tools. Use the source information, assumptions, limitations, and methodology shown on the individual page to decide whether it fits your situation.

Published information can summarize source data or provide an estimate; it is not professional financial, medical, legal, or engineering advice. For an important decision, compare the relevant page with a primary source or a qualified professional.

How information is presented

Pages that present data or estimates identify the available source, method, and material limitations. Results can differ from real-world outcomes because inputs, rules, rates, rounding, data coverage, and individual circumstances vary.

The methodology page explains the site-level approach and limitations. Check the source information on the page you are using rather than treating site-wide wording as a substitute for the current source.

Feedback

If you find an error, stale figure, or missing context on any page we publish, please use the contact page or write to hello@plainfoster.com with the URL and the issue.

Areas of focus

• foster care
• child welfare
• public dataset analysis

Contact and identity

• Email: hello@plainfoster.com
• Publisher: https://plainfoster.com