The Impact of Hurricane Katrina on the U.S. Foster-Care System

Abstract

Three major hurricanes hit the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005, the most memorable of which was Hurricane Katrina. More than 5,000 children were reported missing following Hurricane Katrina, revealing an urgent need for careful reflection on the impacts of disasters on U.S. child welfare systems. Using United States Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data, we investigate the number of children in foster care in the Gulf Coast states following the hurricanes, whether foster children in the affected states experienced more moves, whether they were placed in less-desirable situations, and whether the cost of placement increased. The mixed findings point to the complexity of child welfare systems and the networks of assistance needed to support families during emergencies. Preliminary policy recommendations are to standardize preplanning for emergencies, including using cloud technology to store and maintain access to critical records and family contact information; maintaining connections between foster children and families in disasters; signing information and service-sharing contracts which could be activated among the array of social organizations serving foster children in disasters or when displacement occurs; and following Child Welfare League of America Standards of minimizing the relocating of children.