Foster Care in Our Georgia Communities
Most conversations about foster care tend to land on one end of the spectrum or the other. On one side are the big numbers. We hear about thousands of children in care across Georgia or hundreds of thousands nationwide. Those numbers matter because they help us understand the scope of the need. On the other side are individual stories. We hear from foster parents, former foster youth, or families who have experienced the child welfare system firsthand. Those stories matter too because they show how personal and relational foster care really is. Somewhere between those two perspectives is a conversation that often gets overlooked: What does foster care actually look like in the communities where we live and serve?
The needs in DeKalb County look different from those in Carroll County. That is one reason the Christian Alliance for Orphans created More Than Enough. The initiative provides foster care data at the county level, giving communities a clearer understanding of what is happening around them. The goal is not simply to collect information. The data can help the church within a community recognize local needs and consider how they might support those affected by foster care.
In this article, we zoom in on five local counties served by WinShape Homes to better understand what foster care looks like in our area.
DeKalb County
If there’s one thing that stands out in DeKalb County, it’s the sheer scale of foster care in the community. More than 700 children are currently in care, making it one of the largest foster care populations among the counties served by WinShape Homes. The county also has 61 children waiting for adoption.
Another number worth noticing is that 523 children are placed outside the county. While every placement situation is different, it reminds us that finding the most ideal placement isn’t always as simple as looking at the nearest available home. At WinShape Homes, we believe a home is more than just a place to stay. We want every child to be in a home where they can experience the consistency and love of Christ through the people welcoming them in.
At the same time, DeKalb’s reunification rate is 45.3%, pointing back to the ultimate goal of foster care: a child to safely return home and families to be restored.
Fulton County
Fulton County is Georgia’s largest county by population. Many families live close together geographically while moving through very different daily realities. Two families may attend the same church or have children that go to the same school without even knowing that one family is involved in foster care. This can make foster care feel both visible and easy to miss.
In Fulton, more than 600 children are currently in care, while 49 children are waiting for adoption. The county is also home to 283 licensed foster homes. Many families are working toward being together again, reflected in a reunification rate of 36.9%.
In a county as large as Fulton, it can be easy to assume someone else is already meeting the need. Sometimes we wait for the person with more time or more experience to step in first. But throughout Scripture, God works through ordinary moments and faithful people who walk in obedience to His calling for them.
Cobb County
Today, 488 children are in foster care across Cobb County, while 57 children are waiting for adoption. Cobb is also home to 255 licensed foster homes and roughly 350 churches. At the same time, the county’s reunification rate sits at 36.6%.
The same data also shows that 290 children are placed outside of Cobb County. That may seem surprising in a county with 255 licensed homes and approximately 350 churches. However, it is a good example of why foster care data needs to be read with care. Having licensed homes in a county does not automatically mean those homes can meet every current placement need.
For us, Cobb County serves as a reminder that progress and a significant need can exist at the same time. There are already families opening their homes and churches with care communities walking alongside foster families. And yet, there is still room for others to step in and be part of the story.
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County is one of the fastest-growing communities in Georgia with 957,062 residents. Currently, 420 children are in foster care across the county, while 45 children are waiting for adoption. The county is also home to 360 licensed foster homes and 377 churches. At the same time, Gwinnett’s reunification rate sits at 55.4%, the highest among the counties highlighted in this article.
Those numbers are encouraging to see, but it’s important not to overlook the fact that there are also 213 children placed outside of Gwinnett County and dozens of children who are still waiting for a permanent home. Each one of those children carries unique and complex stories that matter deeply. So the question remains: how do we faithfully step in?
Carroll County
Foster care is often associated with large metro areas like Atlanta and its surrounding counties. Carroll County reminds us that the need extends far beyond the state’s biggest population centers.
Its population is 119,148, but 220 children are currently in care. There are 54 licensed foster homes, approximately 99 churches, and 25 children waiting for adoption. Compared with the larger metro areas, Carroll may have fewer children in care by total count. Yet, the gap between children in care and available licensed homes is more pronounced. Nonetheless, Carroll County’s reunification rate sits at 53.5%.
Looking Beyond the Numbers
One of the most interesting things about looking at county-level foster care data is that it helps bring the conversation a little closer to home.
Statewide statistics help us understand the scope of foster care across Georgia. Personal stories help us understand its impact on individual children and families. Local data helps connect those two realities.
Each of these counties holds its own redemptive stories and unique challenges. Yet across every county, one thing remains true: children need safe homes and families need support.
Join Us at CAFO Summit 2026
As we continue learning from the communities around us, we’re also excited to join others from across the foster care and adoption space at CAFO Summit 2026 in Atlanta from September 23-25. The annual Summit brings together foster parents, church leaders, child welfare professionals, advocates, and organizations who share a heart for vulnerable children and families.
The WinShape Homes team will be there, and we’d love to meet you. If you’re attending, stop by and say hello! Whether you’re already involved in foster care or simply exploring how you can make a difference, we’d love to connect with you and hear your story.
Learn more about the Summit at CAFO Summit 2026.
