The role of income assistance, childcare, and informal social support in foster care entry

Economic hardship, food insecurity, and limited access to essential resources such as childcare increase the risk of child maltreatment (CM) and the likelihood of foster care (FC) placement. Families facing these conditions often experience social isolation and a lack of support that could otherwise buffer the effects of poverty and child welfare involvement. This study examined the influence of income assistance, childcare access, and formal and informal social support on the risk of FC placement among families whose children remained at home following an initial CM investigation. Using longitudinal data from the second cohort of the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW-II), the sample included 1,963 children aged 0 to 6 residing with their biological or adoptive mothers. Results indicated that poverty and receipt of public assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children were associated with increased odds of FC placement. However, access to childcare, informal social support, and Child Protective Services −provided assistance with income and childcare services were linked to reduced risk. These findings highlight the importance of targeted economic and social supports in promoting family stability and reducing unnecessary FC placements among vulnerable, child welfare–involved families.