Delaware Foster Youth Still Sleeping in State Offices
State audit finds placement shortage forces youth into offices while new shelters are being built to address the crisis.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Child Care
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A recent Delaware state audit reveals that foster youth are frequently forced to sleep in state office buildings due to a shortage of appropriate placements. The findings highlight significant safety concerns as the state attempts to manage placements for children with complex behavioral or justice-system needs.
Why it matters
The lack of available group homes and specialized facilities forces Delaware to rely on unsuitable office environments that lack basic security and hygiene. This practice impacts family stability and child safety while straining state resources with millions in emergency supervision costs.
Between fiscal years 2023 and 2025, Delaware spent $8.3 million on out-of-state placements and $4.5 million on staff to monitor youth in office buildings. These buildings currently lack basic amenities like shower facilities.
The players
Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families
The Delaware state agency responsible for child welfare and the management of foster care placements.
The details
Children are currently sleeping on cots in state office buildings because of a scarcity of available foster care and group home slots. These environments are not designed for residential use, creating safety risks for both youth and staff, who have reported instances of physical assault. To address these gaps, the state is actively repurposing buildings to serve as more appropriate emergency shelters.
Timeline
January 2022 through June 2023: National data collection period on emergency placements.
Fiscal years 2023 to 2025: Period of Delaware state spending on out-of-state placements.
2024: Year the state auditor's office initiated the foster care investigation.
October 22, 2026: Official release date of the Delaware audit report.
Early next year: Expected opening date for the new Wilmington emergency shelter.
The Home Front
Delaware's reliance on office-based housing mirrors a wider crisis identified in a federal audit covering 9,045 children across 30 states. This shift highlights a systemic failure to provide consistent, stable residential infrastructure for youth within the foster system.
Families currently involved in the foster system or considering becoming foster parents should monitor updates from the state regarding new placement facilities. Staying informed about the Wilmington shelter and Sussex County group home openings can help clarify upcoming capacity improvements.
The takeaway
The state is working to transition youth out of office buildings by opening specialized shelters in Wilmington and Sussex County. Affected families should track the rollout of these 12 new beds in the therapeutic group home to understand shifting placement options.
Further reading
For more on the state of local family services, see our Child Care section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHYY.
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