New Jersey has just begun heavily recruiting foster parents who will agree to take sibling groups.

That would shorten from months to weeks the process of recruiting suitable foster parents.

The consultant would have to prepare a written report within 30 days on the most effective ways of recruiting new foster parents.

He said the city was intensifying efforts to recruit foster parents "so these kids can be in homes, not hospitals."

He also agreed to spend more than $23 million to hire more social workers and recruit foster parents.

During the same period, it has become harder to recruit new foster parents, says the network.

Ms. Sánchez said she was making a particular effort to recruit parents who do not speak English well.

The growing need led nonprofit agencies to lobby the government for more money to recruit appropriate foster parents.

A key element of the new plan is a further effort to recruit foster parents.

Some districts are recruiting parents and recalling retired teachers.