ABSTRACT
This chapter provides descriptive information about group care settings in California. Group care is often considered a last attempt to serve children who are unlikely to remain in a stable placement elsewhere. For many adolescents, group care may be an appropriate transition to independent living after emancipation. Group care may also serve as a time-limited placement for severely emotionally disturbed children. One group care agency provided care for up to 410 children. The median number of children per group home agency was 17. Although group homes must provide care and supervision for children, many also provide additional services to the child or the family. The National Child Care Staffing Study showed that 41% of all childcare staff left the job within 1 year. In fiscal years 1991-1992, California spent over $800 million on out-of-home care serving more than 80,000 children.
