2026 OCAP State of the Child Report

CHILD WELFARE THE PERCENT OF RIVERSIDE COUNTY CHILDREN REENTERING FOSTER CARE IS DECLINING AND GREATER PERCENTAGES ARE FINDING PERMANENT HOMES MAINLY THROUGH REUNIFICATION DESCRIPTION OF INDICATOR This indicator reflects the timeliness of placement within the first 12 months and three permanency measures following a child’s placement into foster care. Permanency within the first year reflects the percentage of children who return home, are adopted, or enter guardianship. Reentry reports the percentage of children who return to foster care within 12 months after reunifying or entering guardianship. The indicator also measures children in foster care 24 months or longer who later transition to a permanent home through reunification, guardianship, or adoption.

Why is this indicator important?

Findings 1 • Reunification has been the most common permanency outcome across all years, even during periods when Riverside County’s overall permanency declined. • Permanency in Riverside County has generally remained higher than California in recent years, with county outcomes dropping below the state to 29.3% in 2021-2022, then increasing to more than 40% in the 2022-2023 and 2023 2024 reporting periods. • Placement was 40.3% then declined to 26.1% in 2017-2018. Placements rose to 41.1% in 2022-2023, followed by a slight dip in 2023-2024. Recent rates above 40% reflect improvement in timely placements. • The percentage of children reentering foster care within 12 months is declining overall, from 11.6% in 2013-2014 to 7.6% in 2023-2024, with intermittent increases. • For children in foster care 24 months or longer, permanency percentages fluctuate but remain higher than the statewide findings, with closer alignment in recent years.

Tracking the percentage of children entering foster care and achieving permanency demonstrates how well the system supports safe, stable and lasting placements. Timely permanency and low reentry rates offer insights into system performance and child well-being, helping the county and partners identify progress and areas needing attention.

1 Riverside County DPSS, Office of Research, Assessment, and Data Services (RADS). (2025). CWS/CMS 2025 Q2.

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