The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a division of the United States Health and Human Services (HHS), indicates that at least 10% of the more than 400,000 children in the foster care system currently reside in congregate care. In many cases, this results from a lack of family-based options prepared to offer treatment for kids with complex trauma. Although there is an appropriate role for congregate care placements in the continuum of foster care settings, there is a consensus that the majority of children and youth excel in a family environment. Providers should base the length of stay for congregate care on the child’s behavioral health needs and promote stabilization.

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