How can we reduce congregate care placements? Lessons from South Carolina July 12, 2023 by Jamerika Haynes-Lewis · Published July 12, 2023 · Last modified July 13, 2023 In 2019, over 51% of teens in South Carolina’s foster care system lived in congregate care, also known as group homes. Two years later, there had been a 15% decrease in congregate care placements.