The overall number of area children in foster care has declined according to the COG 2012 Foster Care Annual Report. The report, which was presented at Wednesday’s COG Board meeting, found that in 2012 there were 3,349 children in foster care throughout the region, down from 4,601 in 2008 – a reduction of 27%. This figure outpaces the national rate of children in foster care, which saw a 20% decline between 2007 and 2011.