What are the outcomes for youth placed in congregate care settings? – Congregate care is costly on many levels: it is more expensive and produces poorer outcomes than family-based settings, and it poses roadblocks to the timely achievement of permanency. Over the past ten years, the field has seen a 37 percent reduction in the number of children living in congregate care nationwide. Data indicate that children and youth who live in congregate settings spend an average of eight months there. This information packet provides an overview of the use of congregate care in child welfare, highlights of research about outcomes for youth placed in congregate care, and selected resources on congregate care.