An orphanage is an institution evoted to the care of children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable to care for them. Parents, and sometimes grandparents, are legally responsible for supporting children, but in the absence of these or other relatives willing to care for the children they become a ward of the state, and orphanages are a way of providing for their care and housing. Many developed nations have phased out orphanages in favor of foster care and more extensive adoption programs.