State care systems for children and youth in need of care and protection are in crisis everywhere as more children and youth are coming to the attention of child protection services at a time when foster homes are fewer, their problems tend to be more difficult and financial resources continue to be cut to the bone. Youth crime, overburdened Court systems, limited correctional services and the resulting public nervous tension has created a climate of exploration into different approaches for responding to the critical needs and demands of our children young people, families and communities.

Research indicates that when children are in care for more than six months, there is a real danger that they will remain in care for very long periods resulting in larger caseloads, sometimes having to place children in hotels, overcrowded foster homes and splitting siblings. Children who may be doing well in specialized foster homes are sometimes 'bumped' in order to accommodate an emergency and frequently children are placed in homes where there is an obvious mismatch between the home environment and the child's needs. Children in care typically experience an average of six placements during their life in care. Even children who have experienced stable foster home placements, are often faced with suddenly being cut off with no resources and few supports to help them transition out of State care. Thus 'State Care' poses its own set of risks to children and youth in need of care and protection.

One emerging response to this dilemma is to try and develop' up front' permanent placement options for children before they become long-term clients in the foster care system. The obvious danger of the 'up front' permanent plan for placement outside of the family is the loss of family identity and life long family connections. Family Group Conferencing 'up front' provides an approach that addresses risks to the child or young person and sustaining life long relationships and connections. See Emerging Trends in Restorative Practices