Almost 143,000 Michigan children live in a family where allegations of abuse or neglect are reported or investigated. Nine out of 1,000 children in Michigan are confirmed victims of abuse or neglect.
Roughly 15,200 Michigan children are living in an out-of-home placement (foster care, residential treatment).
Every day, 58 Michigan children are confirmed victims of abuse or neglect.
Every day, 28 Michigan children are placed in foster care because of abuse or neglect.
The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children estimates that the number of foster homes in the United States dropped from 147,000 homes in 1985 to 100,000 in 1995.
Passage of the Binsfeld Children's Commission laws (23 new laws enacted by the Michigan Legislature during 1997-1998) has resulted in many more children entering foster care.
Approximately 70 percent of Michigan's state ward adoptions occur with foster families. However, once foster families adopt, they usually decide not to continue as foster parents. This is one of the main reasons for the continual need for new foster families.
