Delaware Audit Finds Foster Youth Sleeping in Offices
A state audit reveals foster children are frequently housed in office buildings due to a shortage of appropriate placements.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Child Care
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A recent Delaware audit report found that children in the foster care system are frequently sleeping on cots within state office buildings. The practice stems from an ongoing shortage of available spots in standard group homes and foster care facilities.
Why it matters
The lack of dedicated housing forces the state to rely on office spaces that lack necessary amenities like showers and security, sometimes resulting in dangerous encounters between staff and youth. Addressing these placements is critical for the safety of both children with behavioral health needs and the employees tasked with their supervision.
Delaware spent $8.3 million on out-of-state placements between fiscal years 2023 and 2025 while allocating $4.5 million to supervise children housed in offices. A federal audit also identified 9,045 children in temporary emergency placements across 30 states.
The players
Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families
This state agency is responsible for managing foster care services and is currently repurposing a building in Wilmington to serve as an emergency shelter.
The details
State office buildings used for this purpose often lack essential infrastructure, such as shower facilities and adequate security measures. Staff members have reported incidents of being assaulted by minors placed in these makeshift environments, highlighting the severity of the housing shortage.
Timeline
A federal audit tracked temporary emergency placements between January 2022 and June 2023.
Delaware state spending on out-of-state foster placements occurred from fiscal years 2023 to 2025.
The Delaware auditor's office began investigating these placement practices in 2024.
The official Delaware audit report was released on October 22, 2026.
A repurposed emergency shelter in Wilmington is expected to open early next year.
Culture Shift
Delaware's reliance on offices reflects a broader trend identified in the federal audit of 9,045 children in temporary emergency placements. This highlights a national struggle to provide stable housing for foster youth with behavioral health needs.
The findings underscore a significant gap in state-provided infrastructure for vulnerable youth that may affect public safety and social service resources. Residents should expect continued state investment in facility construction as officials work to move children out of office-based housing.
The takeaway
The state's reliance on offices highlights the urgent need for expanded specialized foster care infrastructure. Closing these housing gaps remains a priority to ensure the safety and wellbeing of youth involved in the state justice and foster systems.
What happens next
A 12-bed therapeutic group home in Sussex County is slated for completion next year, and an emergency shelter in Wilmington is expected to open early next year.
Further reading
Find more information on Child Care policies and state regulations on our dedicated page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WHYY.
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