Audit finds Delaware foster children sleeping in state offices

Placement shortage leads to millions in out-of-state costs and overnight supervision

By LineZotpaper

Published22 October 2026

Read Time2 min

An audit by Delaware Auditor of Accounts Lydia York has revealed that children in foster care are frequently sleeping in state offices, sometimes for weeks, due to a shortage of suitable placements. The report details millions spent on out-of-state care and overnight staff supervision.

An audit by Delaware Auditor of Accounts Lydia York found that children in foster care are frequently sleeping in state office buildings due to a lack of available placements in group homes or foster families. The report, released Oct. 22, states that Delaware spent approximately $8.3 million on out-of-state placements between fiscal years 2023 and 2025, and $4.5 million on staff to supervise children sleeping overnight in state buildings.

York expressed concern that the facilities lack security measures and shower facilities. 'On occasion it is not just one night or even two nights,' she said, noting that stays can extend to weeks. The audit was prompted by reports of mistreatment in 2024 and found that some staff have reported being assaulted by minors in their care.

Sarah Azevedo, director of the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families, disputed that children typically spend more than a night or two in state offices, saying it applies to a small percentage of those in foster care. She acknowledged the shortage of foster homes has been a chronic issue since the COVID-19 pandemic. 'A lot of it started several years ago when we saw a dip in the number of available foster homes or people willing to become foster parents,' Azevedo said. She added that most children who cannot be placed are adolescents with behavioral health needs or complex family situations.

The department is increasing capacity by repurposing a building on its Wilmington campus as an emergency shelter and building a 12-bed therapeutic group home in Sussex County, both expected to open next year. Nationally, a federal report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that from January 2022 through June 2023, 9,045 children in 30 states were housed in temporary emergency placements, including government offices and hotels. Delaware did not provide data for that report.

York's audit recommends strengthening oversight of out-of-state placements, tracking the time children spend in state buildings, and utilizing existing space for short-term stays.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The safety and well-being of Delaware's most vulnerable children are at risk when they are housed in state offices without proper facilities.
The state is spending millions on temporary measures, indicating a systemic issue in the foster care system that has not been resolved.
The problem reflects a broader national challenge in providing adequate placements for children in foster care.

Background

An audit by the Delaware Auditor of Accounts began looking into placement shortages in 2024 after receiving information about mistreatment. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a decline in foster families, and the system has not fully recovered. Delaware's situation mirrors a national trend, with federal data showing thousands of children in temporary emergency placements across many states.

Key Perspectives

Auditor Lydia York: Emphasizes that children are staying in state buildings for multiple days or weeks without adequate facilities, and calls for better tracking and oversight. Department Director Sarah Azevedo: Disputes the duration of stays but acknowledges a chronic shortage, particularly for adolescents with complex needs. She points to the department's ongoing efforts to increase capacity. Critics and Skeptics: While not represented directly in the audit, child welfare advocates might question whether the department's response is sufficient given the scale of the issue.

What to Watch

The opening of the emergency shelter in Wilmington, projected for early 2025.
The construction of the 12-bed therapeutic group home in Sussex County, due for completion next year.
Whether the state implements the auditor's recommendations for tracking and oversight.
Potential federal or state policy changes to address the national foster care placement crisis.

Sources

Audit report finds Delaware foster care kids frequently sleep in state offices because of placement shortages · WHYY

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe audit found that Delaware foster children are sleeping in state offices.WHYY: “York said her office was disturbed to learn that kids sleeping in state office buildings was a common circumstance.”
SupportedA placement shortage is linked to millions spent on out-of-state care and overnight supervision.WHYY: “An audit report issued by Delaware Auditor of Accounts Lydia York shows the state is spending millions of dollars a year caring for foster youth in government buildings or in out-of-state facilities because of housing limitations.”
Partly supportedYork said, “On occasion it is not just one night or even two nights.”WHYY: ““On occasion it’s not just one night or even two nights,” she said.”
Not in the sourcesThe audit report was released Oct. 22.
SupportedDelaware spent about $8.3 million on out-of-state placements from fiscal years 2023 through 2025.WHYY: “The audit found that Delaware spent a total of about $8.3 million on out-of-state placements between fiscal years 2023 and 2025.”
SupportedThe state spent $4.5 million on staff supervising children overnight in state buildings.WHYY: “Another $4.5 million was spent on staff to supervise kids sleeping in state buildings overnight, the report states.”
SupportedYork was concerned that the buildings lack security measures and showers.WHYY: “York said one of her main concerns with youth being housed in state buildings was that while they had cots to sleep on, the facilities lack security measures and shower facilities.”
SupportedThe audit review began in 2024 after reports of children being mistreated.WHYY: “According to the report, the auditor’s office started looking into the issue of placements in 2024 after receiving information of children being mistreated.”
SupportedSome staff reported being assaulted by minors in their care.WHYY: “The review found that some staff have reported being assaulted by minors in their care.”
Partly supportedAzevedo said the foster-home shortage had been chronic since the COVID-19 pandemic.WHYY: “She said that while the problem has currently hit a tipping point, the shortage of available places for kids to stay has been a chronic issue. “A lot of it started several years ago when we saw a dip in the number of available foster homes or people willing to become foster parents,” Azevedo said. “I think a lot of it started with COVID and so the system has never quite right-sized again.””
SupportedA federal report found that 9,045 children in 30 states were in temporary emergency placements from January 2022 through June 2023, and Delaware provided no data.WHYY: “An audit released in July by the federal agency’s inspector general found that from January 2022 through June 2023, 9,045 children in 30 states were housed in temporary emergency placements that included government offices, hotels, motels and emergency shelters. Delaware did not provide data for the report.”
Partly supportedBoth the Wilmington shelter and the 12-bed Sussex County group home are expected to open next year.WHYY: “It is expected to open early next year. The department is also building a 12-bed therapeutic group home on its Sussex County campus that is set to finish construction sometime next year.”