Wiktionary
n. A formal system by which a child is cared for, in a foster family, by people other than its own parents, but without being adopted
WordNet
n. supervised care for delinquent or neglected children usually in an institution or substitute home
Wikipedia
Foster care is a system in which a minor has been placed into a ward, group home, or private home of a state- certified caregiver, referred to as a "foster parent". The placement of the child is normally arranged through the government or a social service agency. The institution, group home or foster parent is compensated for expenses.
The State, via the family court and child protection agency, stand in loco parentis to the minor, making all legal decisions while the foster parent is responsible for the day-to-day care of the minor.
The vast majority of children who would otherwise need foster care are in kinship care, that is, in the care of grandparents or other relatives. Most kinship care is done informally, without the involvement of a court or public organization. However, in the U.S., formal kinship care is increasingly common. In 2012, a quarter of all children in formal foster care were placed with relatives.
Usage examples of "foster care".
Renee could have gotten her two youngest children out of foster care, but she had been content to leave them where they were.
Or maybe they got caught in the social nightmare of the foster care system and are spending time on the streets or incarcerated for their crimes.
She told me I'd better make a good job of pretending affection, or she'd tell the authorities I'd stolen something valuable-and instead of going back into foster care for two more years, I'd go to jail.
Even after all he had been through, caught up in the merciless current of the foster care system, he never gave up hope that eventually it would turn out for the best.
Child Youth Services did a Nazi raid, took Kimmie into custody, and put her into foster care for her own safety.