In the United States, many children enter the traditional foster care system—and find themselves living with strangers under an unfamiliar roof. Consider data from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which ...

When Mark Daley and his husband, Jason, became foster parents to two brothers, they fell in love with the children right away. He says the boys, ages 3 months and 13 months, thrived in their care.

To Teresa Casados, who runs the department in charge of child welfare in New Mexico, it seemed like an odd question. At a legislative hearing in July, a lawmaker asked her if the state was taking the ...