Nathan Mayberg reported in the Register Star, Columbia County had the highest rate of foster care placement in New York, as of Dec. 2011. According to figures provided by the state Office of Children and Family Services, there were 144 children out of an estimated 18,000 in foster care, putting Columbia County's placement rate higher than its closest competitors — Cortland and Schenectady counties. Based on statistics provided to the paper by county Department of Social Services Commissioner Paul Mossman, the number of children in placement stabilized during the first quarter of 2012. According to DSS, 80 percent of children in foster care have been abused or neglected. Read the full story in the Register Star.