How does foster care work?

It depends on the area, but in general, foster care is the temporary removal of a child from their parent/guardian when the parent/guardian cannot take proper care of the child. The child placing agency will work with parents/guardians to complete a case plan to learn to take proper care of their children and resolve any other issues that caused the removal (i.e. drug use) in order for the parents/guardians to regain the physical care of their child. The court system is involved to ensure the child’s removal is appropriate and that the child’s return to parents/guardians is appropriate as well.