How Strengthening Family Well-Being Prevents Need for Foster Care

In the public imagination, children enter foster care primarily because of abuse. In reality, most are removed for neglect — a category that often reflects families lacking the resources to meet basic needs, including child care, health care, food and safe housing. In many cases, children are separated from their families not because of intentional harm but because of poverty.

A growing body of research shows these separations are preventable. A study from the University of Kansas Center for Public Partnerships and Research highlights that early childhood services remain underused tools for keeping families intact and reducing long-term costs to the state.

The findings come as states, including Kansas, continue to invest in prevention under federal initiatives such as the Family First Prevention Services Act, which shifts funding toward keeping children safely at home rather than placing them in foster care.

The need is urgent. Nationally, the largest share of children entering foster care are ages 5 and younger, including about 1 in 5 who are infants. Parents of infants and toddlers are often early in their careers, earning wages that do not keep up with the rising cost of living. In Kansas, the cost of infant care exceeds in-state college tuition, placing additional strain on young families.

Early childhood services can help bridge this gap by connecting families with support when they need it most. These services include access to affordable child care, parenting education, home visiting programs and screenings for developmental and health needs.

Research shows that when families receive timely support, the likelihood of child welfare involvement decreases. Early childhood systems are uniquely positioned to identify stressors early, intervene before crises escalate and address the root causes of neglect — particularly economic hardship.

Kansas has made progress in aligning early childhood and family support systems, but gaps remain in access, awareness and funding. Expanding these services — especially in rural and underserved communities — could further reduce unnecessary family separations.

Strengthening family well-being is not just a social good; it is a cost-effective strategy. Preventing entry into foster care avoids the financial and emotional costs associated with placement while improving long-term outcomes for children.

As policymakers consider future investments, the evidence is clear: Supporting families early and consistently is one of the most effective ways to keep children safe — and keep families together.