Delaware Auditor Released Report on Youth Care
A new audit reveals that youth in state care have slept in offices due to a lack of available foster placements.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Child Care
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Delaware Auditor Lydia York has issued a special report identifying systemic issues regarding the placement of youth in state care. The audit found that children have been housed in state offices that lack showers or proper facilities due to a shortage of in-state placements.
Why it matters
The state currently faces a critical shortage of foster families and in-state beds, forcing reliance on costly out-of-state facilities. This dynamic impacts the quality of care for children and increases state expenditures.
A special report from the Delaware Auditor of Accounts detailed millions in state spending on out-of-state facility placements. These costs occur because the state lacks a sufficient number of foster families and beds for youth in the Division of Family Services care.
The players
Lydia York
The Delaware Auditor of Accounts who initiated the audit following reports received by the state fraud hotline.
Department of Services for Children, Youth, and their Families
The Delaware state agency tasked with the welfare and placement of vulnerable youth in the foster system.
The details
Auditors reached these findings through a comprehensive review of agency policies, internal documentation, and interviews with staff. The investigation included site visits to assess living conditions, confirming that children in state care were forced to sleep in offices without access to showers. This practice stems from a systemic capacity failure within the current foster network.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: The State Auditor issued a special report on youth care practices.
The Home Front
Delaware's current struggles with youth placement capacity follow a broader, documented trend of state agencies failing to meet the standards set by the Adoption and Safe Families Act. This audit highlights a systemic shortfall in available residential care beds within the state system.
Families interested in helping bridge this capacity gap can research the requirements to become a licensed foster home in Delaware. Please contact the state division to discuss the licensing process and the current need for local placement options.
The takeaway
The audit confirms that systemic capacity issues currently threaten the quality of care for children within the state system. For those interested in supporting local families, contact the Division of Family Services to inquire about foster care certification and training requirements.
Further reading
Read more about how state policy affects local youth welfare in the Child Care section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by State of Delaware News.
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