This brief presents an overview of the well-being of children within the child welfare system using data from the 1997 and 1999 National Survey of America's Families. Both surveys included economic, health, and social characteristics of more over 44,000 households. This analysis used information on children under 18 years of age. Researchers examined a cross-section of children placed by the child welfare system with nonrelative foster parents or in a relative's home. Overall, many of these children were not faring well emotionally, behaviorally, educationally, or physically. About 27 percent showed high levels of behavioral and emotional problems, 39 percent displayed low school engagement, and 28 percent had physical, learning, or mental health conditions that limited their activities. On each measure, children living with parents were doing significantly better. Children living in single-parent, low-income families had better well-being than children in child welfare. Nearly one-third of children with high levels of behavioral and emotional problems had not received mental health services, 16 percent were not covered by health insurance at some point in the past year, and 20-40 percent received no preventive health or dental care. (Contains 18 references.) (SM)