Foster America

Foster America is dedicated to transforming the way the nation supports families, striving to create a more just and equitable future for children, youth, and families. The organization works collaboratively with communities to innovate and reform systems, envisioning a support structure that proactively meets families' needs before crises occur, rather than penalizing struggling parents through separation. A primary goal is to safely reduce child protection investigations and foster care entries by facilitating streamlined access to essential resources for families in need. This approach aims to expand resources for children and families, ultimately leading to a smaller child welfare system and a national model for child and family well-being that offers equitable and compassionate support.

Established in 2016 by co-founders Sherry Lachman and Marie Zemler Wu, Foster America was conceived as an alternative to a child welfare system requiring fundamental change. The organization recognized that the existing system often places too many children, particularly children of color and those from low-income backgrounds, into foster care when they could be safely supported at home with appropriate resources. Initially, Foster America operated as a fellowship program, inspired by successful models in other sectors like education and health. This fellowship recruited, trained, and supported diverse, experienced leaders with skill sets not traditionally found in child welfare to spearhead innovation projects within the system. These fellows were embedded in state and county governments and non-profit organizations across numerous states, working on initiatives to prevent abuse and neglect, ensure children in foster care live with stable families, provide consistent support from capable caseworkers, and improve overall well-being through inter-system collaboration. [2, 8] Building on this foundation, Foster America expanded its strategy in 2023 to take a more active, on-the-ground role as a multi-year partner in driving innovations that reduce child welfare system involvement. The organization emphasizes co-designing solutions with communities and local governments, centering the perspectives of those with lived experience in the child welfare system. [1, 7]