Florida is running short on foster homes, and the gap is getting harder to ignore. With fewer licensed families available, agencies and volunteers are scrambling to find safe beds for children who suddenly need someplace to land. Advocates say older kids and teens are especially tough to place, even as community groups ramp up recruitment, mentoring and support drives. Providers and schools are also reporting growing strain on caseworkers as more children enter care.
Statewide decline in available homes
According to WPTV, the number of licensed foster homes in Florida has dropped roughly 24% over the past three years. Advocates warn that the shrinking pool of homes means fewer beds for children who arrive in the system with little warning. Amanda Capalbo of Camelot Community Care told WPTV, "Kids are coming into care at a higher rate than we have beds to place them in."
Agencies point to training and supports
Nonprofits such as Camelot Community Care say they are steadily recruiting and certifying new foster families to help close the gap. Camelot's foster program pages outline orientation sessions, required training modules and ongoing support for both traditional and treatment foster placements, along with resources designed to help caregivers handle trauma-related behaviors in their homes.
Youth and volunteers step up locally
Students and neighborhood volunteers are also pitching in, organizing drives, mentoring and peer support for teens in care. WPTV recently spoke with Jupiter High senior Danielle Day, who launched a chapter of Speak Up For Kids. She said her group runs food drives and outreach because "children in foster care go through so much instability."
Where to find official data
The Florida Department of Children and Families maintains an Office of Child & Family Well‑Being dashboard that tracks placements and other child-welfare metrics across the state. For official statistics and program measures, the department’s dashboard is available through Florida DCF.
How to help
Advocates say the shortfall can be eased with more foster families, more mentors and stronger neighborhood-level support networks wrapped around kids and caregivers. For those interested in fostering or volunteering, Camelot’s sign-up information and resources are available through Camelot Community Care, and WPTV's Let’s Hear It team is collecting local leads at [email protected].
