THE FOSTER FAMILY SERVICE IN MANAUS: ADVANCES, LIMITATIONS, AND PROPOSALS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Abstract

This article analyzes the challenges faced by the child protection system in implementing the principle of the best interests of the child during the transition from institutional to family foster care. The research is based on Brazilian Law No. 13.509/2017 and observes obstacles such as the scarcity of foster families, the lack of training for technical staff, and judicial delays, factors that compromise the affective and social development of children. Grounded in the Statute of the Child and Adolescent (ECA) and specialized legal doctrine, the study adopts a qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive approach, with bibliographic and documentary research. The results indicate that, although family foster care is legally recognized as a priority measure, its implementation still faces structural and cultural barriers, constituting a form of institutional violence. It concludes that strengthening public policies, continuous training for families, and greater judicial efficiency are essential to consolidate family foster care as an effective reality in Brazil.