The Road to Home

June 2010 / Abell Reports / Health and Human Services

Adoption and permanent custody and guardianship for Baltimore City children in foster care.

What happens to Baltimore City children in foster care when they are not able to return to their own homes and families? To answer this question, the following report:

  • Documents the current status of children under the care of the Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS) with respect to adoptions and permanent guardianships;
  • Identifies existing barriers to permanent homes for these children;
  • Explores opportunities emerging from changes in federal policy and the experience of other jurisdictions for overcoming these barriers; and
  • Offers an initial set of recommendations for increasing the rate, pace, and success of adoptions and guardianships for Baltimore City children.