This paper aims to describe the main actors involved in a Foster Care program and its processes. The program had done 314 fosterings from 1998 to 2007. During this period, most foster children were boys (51,7%), afrodescendants (55,3%), aged up to 6 years old (58,7%). Foster families were formed by couples (70, 4%), with other children (84,1%); aged from 30 to 49 years old; good education level; autonomous professions; diversified incomes and solidarity motivation to foster. No registered information about the biological families was found. The principal reason referred to for fostering was negligence (33,7%). The child remained in foster care from 1 to 6 months in 46,65% cases. Regarding the outcome of the fostering process, 34,2% children were adopted and 33,8% were reintegrated into their families. Describing a program helps to redefine practices and to discuss measures of intervention for the area.
childhood; adolescence; family; public policies
