Congregate Care, Residential Treatment and Group Home State Legislative Enactments 2014-2019 – Just over 400,000 American children live in foster care, and some 55,000 reside in group homes, residential treatment facilities, psychiatric institutions, and emergency shelters. This type of placement—called “congregate care”—may be beneficial for children who require short-term supervision and structure because their behavior may be dangerous. However, many officials believe that children who don’t need that type of intense supervision are still in these group placements—depending on the state, between 5% and 32%—making it harder to find them permanent homes and costing state governments three to five times more than family foster care. A recent federal analysis of Adoption and Foster Care Analysis (AFCARS) data revealed important information about children and youth placed in congregate care settings in the U.S.  The analysis defined congregate care as “A licensed or approved setting that provides 24 hour care for children in a group home (7-12 children) or an institution (12 or more children).  These settings may include a child care institution, a residential treatment facility or a maternity home.”