Appendix B: Child Welfare Outcomes and Measures and Relevant Data Sources

This document provides information about the child welfare outcomes and measures for Child Welfare Outcomes 2001: Annual Report.

Child Welfare Outcome 1:
Reduce recurrence of child abuse and/or neglect
Measure 1.1: Of all children who were victims of substantiated or indicated child abuse and/or neglect during the first 6 months of the reporting period, what percentage had another substantiated or indicated report within a 6-month period?

Child Welfare Outcome 2:
Reduce the incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care
Measure 2.1: Of all children who were in foster care during the reporting period, what percentage was the subject of substantiated or indicated maltreatment by a foster parent or facility staff?
Note: The reporting period for this measure is January 1 to September 30 (9 months).

Child Welfare Outcome 3:
Increase permanency for children in foster care
Measure 3.1: For all children who exited foster care, what percentage left either to reunification, adoption, or legal guardianship?

Measure 3.2: For children who exited foster care and were identified as having a diagnosed disability, what percentage left either to reunification, adoption, or legal guardianship?

Measure 3.3: For children who exited foster care and were older than age 12 at the time of their most recent entry into care, what percentage left either to reunification, adoption, or legal guardianship?

Measure 3.4: Of all children exiting foster care to emancipation, what percentage was age 12 or younger at the time of entry into care?

Measure 3.5: For all children who exited foster care, what percentage by racial/ethnic category left either to reunification, adoption, or legal guardianship?

Child Welfare Outcome 4:
Reduce time in foster care to reunification without increasing re-entry
Measure 4.1: Of all children who were reunified with their parents or caretakers at the time of discharge from foster care, what percentage was reunified in the following time periods?
(1) Less than 12 months from the time of latest removal from home
(2) At least 12 months, but less than 24 months
(3) At least 24 months, but less than 36 months
(4) At least 36 months, but less than 48 months
(5) 48 or more months

Measure 4.2: Of all children who entered foster care during the reporting period, what percentage re-entered care:
(1) Within 12 months of a prior foster care episode?
(2) More than 12 months after a prior foster care episode?

Child Welfare Outcome 5:
Reduce time in foster care to adoption
Measure 5.1: Of all children who exited foster care to a finalized adoption, what percentage exited care in the following time periods?
(1) Less than 12 months from the time of latest removal from home
(2) At least 12 months, but less than 24 months
(3) At least 24 months, but less than 36 months
(4) At least 36 months, but less than 48 months
(5) 48 or more months

Child Welfare Outcome 6:
Increase placement stability
Measure 6.1: Of all children served who had been in foster care for the time periods listed below, what percentage had no more than two placement settings during that time period?
(1) Less than 12 months from the time of latest removal from home
(2) At least 12 months, but less than 24 months
(3) At least 24 months, but less than 36 months
(4) At least 36 months, but less than 48 months
(5) 48 or more months

Child Welfare Outcome 7:
Reduce placements of young children in group homes or institutions
Measure 7.1: For all children who entered foster care during the reporting period and were age 12 or younger at the time of their most recent placement, what percentage was placed in a group home or an institution?

Child Welfare Outcomes: Data Sources and Elements

Context Data Section A. Key Context Statistics

Data Items	Data Sources and Elements
Total Children Under 18 Years	U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census
Child Population in Poverty	U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census
Child Population Living in Metropolitan Areas	U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census
Child Maltreatment Victims	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau For 1998 and 1999, the data source was NCANDS SDC: Sum of Item 3.2 A, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment or Risk of Maltreatment was Substantiated, and Item 3.2 B, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Indicated For 2000, there are three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Elements 27, 29, 31, 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level; (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Element 21, 23, 25, 27, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (3) NCANDS SDC, 2000: Sum of Item 3.1A, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Substantiated; 3.1B, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Indicated; and 3.1C, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Given an Alternative Response that Identified Child Victim(s). For 2001, there are two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Elements 27, 29, 31, 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Sum of Item 3.1A, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Substantiated; 3.1B, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Indicated; and 3.1C, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Given an Alternative Response that Identified Child Victim(s).
Children in Foster Care On 9/30 (End of FY)	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database.
Children Adopted	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Adoption Database: Element 4, State Involvement.

Section B. Child Maltreatment Data

Data Items	Data Sources and Elements
Children Subject of an Investigated Report Alleging Child Maltreatment	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau For 1998 and 1999, the data source was NCANDS SDC: Item 3.2, Children Subject of a CPS Investigation or Assessment by Disposition Pertaining to the Child. For 2000, there were three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Elements 27, 29, 31, 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level; (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Elements 21, 23, 25, 27, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (3) NCANDS SDC, 2000: Item 3.1, Children Subject of a CPS Investigation or Assessment by Disposition. For 2001, there were two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Elements 27, 29, 31, 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Item 3.1, Children Subject of a CPS Investigation or Assessment by Disposition.
Child Maltreatment Victims	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau For 1998 and 1999, the data source was NCANDS SDC: Sum of Item 3.2 A, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment or Risk of Maltreatment was Substantiated; and Item 3.2 B, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Indicated. For 2000, there are three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Elements 27, 29, 31, 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level; (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Element 21, 23, 25, 27, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (3) NCANDS SDC, 2000: Sum of Item 3.1A, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Substantiated; 3.1B, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Indicated; and 3.1C, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Given an Alternative Response that Identified Child Victim(s). For 2001, there were two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Elements 27, 29, 31, 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Sum of Item 3.1A, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Substantiated; 3.1B, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Indicated; and 3.1C, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Given an Alternative Response that Identified Child Victim(s).
Child Fatalities	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau For 1998 and 1999 the data source was NCANDS Summary Data Component: Item 5.1, Child Victims Who Died as a Result of Maltreatment. For 2000, there are three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Element 34, Maltreatment Death; (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Element 28, Maltreatment Death; or (3) NCANDS SDC, 2000: Item 5.1, Child Victims who Died as a Result of Maltreatment. For 2001, there are two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Element 34, Maltreatment Death; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Item 5.1, Child Victims who Died as a Result of Maltreatment.
Age of Child Victims	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau For 1998 and 1999, the data source was NCANDS SDC: Item 4.2, Child Victims by Age For 2000, there are three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Element 12, Child Age at Report, or a combination of Element 6, Report Date and Element 13, Child Date of Birth; (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Element 11, Child Age at Report, or a combination of Element 6, Report Date and Element 12, Child Date of Birth; or (3) NCANDS SDC, 2000: Item 4.2, Child Victims By Age. For 2001, there are two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Element 12, Child Age at Report, or a combination of Element 6, Report Date and Element 13, Child Date of Birth; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Item 4.2, Child Victims By Age.
Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau For 1998 and 1999, the data source was NCANDS SDC: Item 4.4, Child Victims by Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity; and Item 4.5, Child Victims by Race. For 2000, there are three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Elements 15 through 20, Child Race, and Element 21, Child Ethnicity; (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Element 14, Child Race, and Element 15, Child Ethnicity; or (3) NCANDS SDC, 2000: Item 4.4, Child Victims by Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity, and Item 4.5, Child Victims by Race. For 2001, there are two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Elements 15 through 20, Child Race, and Element 21, Child Ethnicity; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Item 4.4, Child Victims by Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity, and Item 4.5, Child Victims by Race.
Maltreatment Type of Child Victims	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau For 1998 and 1999, the data source was NCANDS SDC: Item 4.1, Child Victims by Type of Maltreatment. For 2000, there are three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Elements 26 through 33, Maltreatment Type, Maltreatment Disposition Level; (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Elements 20 through 27, Maltreatment Type, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (3) NCANDS SDC, 2000: Item 4.1, Child Victims by Type of Maltreatment. For 2001, there are two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Elements 26 through 33, Maltreatment Type, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Item 4.1, Child Victims by Type of Maltreatment.

Section C. Children in Foster Care

Data Items	Data Sources and Elements
Children (for each FY) In Care On 10/1 Entered Care Exited Care In Care On 9/30 Total Served (FY)	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care.
Children's Median Length of Stay (for each FY) In Care On 10/1 Exited Care In Care On 9/30	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care.
Age of Children (for each FY) In Care On 10/1 Entered Care Exited Care In Care On 9/30	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care.
Race/Ethnicity of Children (for each FY) In Care On 10/1 Entered Care Exited Care In Care On 9/30	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 8, Race; and Element 9, Hispanic Origin

Section D. Children Waiting to be Adopted on 9/30 (End of Fiscal Year)

Data Items	Data Sources and Elements
Children Waiting to be Adopted	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 35, Death of Parent; Element 43, Most Recent Case Plan Goal; Element 47, Date of Mother's Termination of Parental Rights; and Element 48, Date of Father's Termination of Parental Rights.
Children Whose Parents' Rights Have Been Terminated	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 35, Death of Parent; Element 47, Date of Mother's Termination of Parental Rights; and Element 48, Date of Father's Termination of Parental Rights.
Age of Waiting Children	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 35, Death of Parent; Element 43, Most Recent Case Plan Goal; Element 47, Date of Mother's Termination of Parental Rights; Element 48, Date of Father's Termination of Parental Rights.
Race/Ethnicity of Waiting Children	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 8, Race; and Element 9, Hispanic Origin; Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 35, Death of Parent; Element 43, Most Recent Case Plan Goal; Element 47, Date of Mother's Termination of Parental Rights; Element 48, Date of Father's Termination of Parental Rights.

Section E. Children Adopted (AFCARS Annual Adoption Database

Data Items	Data Sources and Elements
Age of Children Adopted	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Adoption Database: Element 4, State Involvement; and Element 5, Child's Date of Birth.
Race/Ethnicity of Children Adopted	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Adoption Database: Element 4, State Involvement; Element 7, Race; and Element 8, Hispanic Origin.

Outcome Data

Child Welfare Outcome Measures	Data Sources and Elements
Outcome 1. Reduce Recurrence of Child Abuse and/or Neglect (NCANDS, DCDC)
1.1 Recurrence of Maltreatment	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau For 1998 and 1999 (unless a State submitted revised data) the data source was NCANDS Detailed Care Data Component: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID; Element 6, Report Date; and Element 8, Report Disposition. For 2000 there were two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID; Element 6, Report Date; and Elements 27, 29, 31, and 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID; Element 6, Report Date; and Elements 21, 23, 25, and 27, Maltreatment Disposition Level. For 2001, the data source was: (1) NCANDS Child File: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID; Element 6, Report Date; and Elements 27, 29, 31, and 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level.
Outcome 2. Reduce the Incidence of Child Abuse and/or Neglect in Foster Care
2.1 Maltreatment In Foster Care	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database, Element 21, Date of Latest Removal, and Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care For 1998 and 1999 the data source was NCANDS DCDC: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID; Elements 80, 93, and 106, Perpetrator Relationship. For 2000 there were two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File 2000: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID; and Elements 89, 108, and 127, Perpetrator Relationship; or (2) NCANDS DCDC 2000: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID, Elements 80, 93, and 106, Perpetrator Relationship. For 2001 the data source was: (1) NCANDS Child File: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID; and Elements 89, 108, and 127, Perpetrator Relationship.
Outcome 3. Increase Permanency for Children in Foster Care
3.1 Exits From Foster Care	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge
3.2 Exits Of Disabled Children	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 10, Child Diagnosed with Disabilities; Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge
3.3 Exits Of Children Age 12 Or Older At Entry	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge.
3.4 Exits to Emancipation	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge.
3.5 Exits by Race/Ethnicity	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 8, Race; Element 9, Hispanic Origin; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge.
Outcome 4. Reduce Time to Reunification Without Increasing Re-entry
4.1 Time to Reunification	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge.
4.2 Children Who Entered Foster Care During Fiscal Year	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 19, Total Number of Removals; Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; and Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care.
Outcome 5. Reduce Time in Foster Care to Adoption
5.1 Time to Adoption	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge.
Outcome 6. Increase Placement Stability
6.1 Number of Placements by Time in Care	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 24, Number of Previous Settings in Episode; and Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care.
Outcome 7. Reduce Placements of Young Children in Group Homes or Institutions
7.1 Placement Settings of Children Age 12 or Younger Who Entered Care During FY	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 23, Placement Date in Current Setting; Element 41, Current Placement Setting.

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