DCFS placements have changed with policy 

From Sept. 2021 through Sept. 2024, there was an increase in the number of children placed in adoptive homes or special needs children placed in care-specific group homes. The number of children placed in foster family homes substantially decreased. The shift follows changes in DCFS's child placement and removal policy.

Bar chart that shows an increase in the number of children placed in adoptive homes or special needs children placed in care-specific group homes. The number of children placed in foster family homes substantially decreased by 97%. The shift follows changes in DCFS's child placement and removal policy.
A small family home is a facility that provides 24-hour care for up to six children with special care needs, such as physical, developmental, or mental health disabilities; A RFH is a Resource Family home.
Chart: Eliza Partika and Katie Licari/AfroLASource: L.A. County Department of Children and Family ServicesGet the dataCreated with Datawrapper