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Home > Statistics & Research > Child Welfare Outcomes 2002 > Chapter Six > Arkansas

Arkansas

Context Data | Outcomes Data | Federal Comment

Arkansas [ Context Data ]

A. Key Context Statistics

General Population (Census Bureau) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Total children under 18 years 660,224 680,571 680,618 677,522 Race/ethnicity (%)1, 2         Alaska Native/American Indian 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.7 Asian N/A 0.8 0.8 0.8 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.8 N/A N/A N/A Black 21.1 20.6 20.7 20.9 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A N/A 0 0 Hispanic 3.2 4.7 4.9 5 White 74.3 71.3 71.1 70.8 Two or more races N/A 1.7 1.7 1.7 Other N/A 0.1 0 0 % Child population in poverty 18 25.5 28.3 30.8 Child Welfare Summary 1999 2000 2002 2002 Child maltreatment victims3 7,564 7,479 6,927 7,302 Children in foster care on 9/30 2,919 3,045 2,959 2,952 Children adopted 318 325 362 297

1The convention for the data tables is the following: N/A in the data table means that the category was not applicable for the specific year. A dash (-) means that there is "no value" or the category is a true zero (that is, no children were reported as being in that category). A zero (0) means that there is a value for the category, but the value is less than 0.1 percent.Back

2The multiple and overlapping race categories in this and subsequent race tables are due to changes in the Census Bureau categories beginning in 2000. Because the reporting of these categories is a relatively new process for States, changes in percentages over time may be due to data quality issues.Back

3A child victim is a child who is the subject of a substantiated or indicated maltreatment report. Children with more than one report of substantiated or indicated maltreatment may be counted more than once.Back

B. Child Maltreatment Data (NCANDS)

Number Rate Maltreatment Information Overview 1999 2000 2001 2002 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children subject of an investigated report alleging child maltreatment 23,970 23,335 25,655 26,237 36.3 per 1,000 34.3 per 1,000 37.7 per 1,000 38.7 per 1,000 Child maltreatment victims 7,564 7,479 6,927 7,302 11.5 per 1,000 11.0 per 1,000 10.2 per 1,000 10.8 per 1,000 Child fatalities 9 12 22 13 1.4 per 100,000 1.8 per 100,000 3.2 per 100,000 1.9 per 100,000

Age of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 2.8 5.9 5 5.8 1-5 years 27.4 27.4 27.8 27.9 6-10 years 29.8 29.3 27.3 28.1 11-15 years 29 30 31.5 30.5 16+ years 10.3 6.9 7.8 7.2 Unknown / Missing data 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.5 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 7,564 7,479 6,927 7,302 Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.3 Black 19.1 22.4 21.5 21.2 Hispanic 2.3 2.2 3.7 4.6 White 56.6 72.5 68.4 69.3 Two or more races 2.3 -- 3.8 3.9 Total %4 102.3 100 100 100 Number 7,564 7,479 6,927 7,302 Maltreatment Type of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Emotional Abuse 0.6 0.6 0.9 0.7 Medical Neglect 4.8 3.4 3.4 2.8 Neglect 68.9 52.7 47.2 50.4 Physical Abuse 27.2 22.3 26.5 21 Sexual Abuse 37 27.9 30.6 32.7 Unknown / Missing data 0 -- -- -- Other 0 1.2 0.4 0.2 Total %5 138.5 108.1 109 107.8 Number 7,564 7,479 6,927 7,302

4Percentages may total more than 100 percent because Hispanics may be counted both by Hispanic ethnicity and by race.Back

5Percentages may total more than 100 percent because children could have been victims of more than one type of maltreatment.Back

C. Children in Foster Care (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database)

Number of Children In Care on 10/1 Entered Care Exited Care In Care on 9/30 Total Served FY1999 (10/1/98 - 9/30/99) 2,589 2,489 2,160 2,919 5,078 FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) 3,182 3,542 3,679 3,045 6,724 FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) 2,856 3,347 3,244 2,959 6,203 FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) 2,817 3,330 3,195 2,952 6,147 Median Length of Stay (Months)   FY1999 (10/1/98 - 9/30/99) 15.2 N/A 5.5 12.5 N/A FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) 12.3 N/A 4.6 12.6 N/A FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) 12.6 N/A 3 11.8 N/A FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) 12.4 N/A 2.8 12.7 N/A Age of Children in Foster Care (%) In Care On: 10/1/98 In Care On: 10/1/99 In Care On: 10/1/00 In Care On: 10/1/01 Entered Care During FY: 1999 Entered Care During FY: 2000 Entered Care During FY: 2001 Entered Care During FY: 2002 Exited Care During FY: 1999 Exited Care During FY: 2000 Exited Care During FY:2001 Exited Care During FY: 2002 In Care On: 9/30/99 In Care On: 9/30/00 In Care On: 9/30/01 In Care On: 9/30/02 Under 1 Year 3.8 3.6 4.8 4.4 9.3 9.7 9.6 10.8 4 4.8 5.2 6.2 3.8 4.7 4.3 3.6 1-5 years 23 23.3 23.2 23.2 25.8 26.2 27.9 29.3 26.9 26.4 29 28.8 23.4 23 23.5 26.1 6-10 years 23.9 21.7 21.5 21.1 23.2 23.8 23.3 22.3 23.8 23.7 23.6 21.5 22.4 21.6 21 20.9 11-15 years 29.4 30.4 29.6 30.9 31.5 29.3 29 26.6 24.3 26.6 24.4 24.5 31.1 29.9 31 30.4 16-18 years 18.6 19.6 19.6 19.1 10.2 11 10.2 11 19.3 17.3 16.6 17.7 18.1 19.4 18.8 18 19+ years 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.2 0 -- -- -- 1.6 1.1 0.9 1.1 1 1.3 1.4 1 Unknown / Missing data 0.1 0.1 0.1 0 -- -- -- -- 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0 0.1 Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Number 2,589 3,182 2,856 2,817 2,489 3,542 3,347 3,330 2,160 3,679 3,244 3,195 2,919 3,045 2,959 2,952 Race/Ethnicity of Children in Foster Care (%) In Care On: 10/1/98 In Care On: 10/1/99 In Care On: 10/1/00 In Care On: 10/1/01 Entered Care During FY: 1999 Entered Care During FY: 2000 Entered Care During FY: 2001 Entered Care During FY: 2002 Exited Care During FY: 1999 Exited Care During FY: 2000 Exited Care During FY:2001 Exited Care During FY: 2002 In Care On: 9/30/99 In Care On: 9/30/00 In Care On: 9/30/01 In Care On: 9/30/02 Alaska Native/American Indian 0.3 0.4 0 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.2 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.3 0 0.3 0.2 Asian N/A 0.2 0.2 0.1 N/A 0.4 0.2 0.3 N/A 0.3 0.2 0.3 N/A 0.3 0.1 0.1 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.2 N/A N/A N/A 0.3 N/A N/A N/A 0.3 N/A N/A N/A 0.2 N/A N/A N/A Black 41.6 40.5 38.2 33.8 31.9 30.7 26.4 25 29.9 32.1 29 26.5 42.1 39.4 34.9 31.8 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A 0 -- -- N/A -- 0 0 N/A -- 0 -- N/A 0 -- 0 Hispanic 1.6 2.1 1.9 2.2 2.6 2.2 3.2 5.4 2.3 2.4 3.1 4.7 1.9 1.9 2 3.2 White 55.2 54.9 56 57.9 61.5 62.5 63.5 64.2 64.4 61.4 61.6 64.1 53.8 55.8 58.3 58.3 Two or more races N/A 0.7 2.6 5 N/A 1.8 5 4.6 N/A 1.7 4.3 3.7 N/A 0.7 3.4 6 Unknown / Missing data 0.9 1.2 1.2 0.7 2.9 2.3 1.3 0.3 2.5 1.7 1.5 0.5 1.5 1.9 0.9 0.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Number 2,589 3,182 2,856 2,817 2,489 3,542 3,347 3,330 2,160 3,679 3,244 3,195 2,919 3,045 2,959 2,952

D. Children Waiting to be Adopted (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database:  Fiscal Year Data)6

Overview 9/30/99 9/30/00 9/30/01 9/30/02 Children waiting to be adopted 867 817 810 974 Children whose parents' rights have been terminated (TPR) 287 63 250 415 Age of Waiting Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 4.6 3.7 3.2 2.1 1-5 years 36.1 30.7 30.2 36.3 6-10 years 31.4 33.3 32.5 29.1 11-15 years 26 28.9 31 30.5 16+ years 1.8 3.4 2.6 2 Unknown / Missing data 0.1 -- 0.5 0.1 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 867 817 810 974 Race/Ethnicity of Waiting Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 0.1 -- 0.2 0.2 Asian N/A 0.1 -- 0.1 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.1 N/A N/A N/A Black 41.6 41.4 37.8 30.7 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- -- -- Hispanic 1.8 2.1 1.7 2.6 White 54.8 54.1 55.6 59 Two or more races N/A 0.6 3.6 6.5 Unknown / Missing data 1.5 1.7 1.1 0.9 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 867 817 810 974

6Waiting children are children who have a goal of adoption and/or whose parents' rights have been terminated (TPR). Children 16 years and older with TPR, but with a goal of emancipation have been excluded from the waiting children and TPR populations.Back

E. Children Adopted (AFCARS Annual Adoption Database)

Age of Adopted Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 3.5 3.4 1.7 3 1-5 years 41.2 39.4 40.9 37.7 6-10 years 30.8 27.1 32.9 33.7 11-15 years 20.4 24.6 19.3 20.5 16+ years 4.1 5.5 5.2 5.1 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 318 325 362 297 Race/Ethnicity of Adopted Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 0.3 0.6 -- 0.3 Asian N/A -- 0.3 0.3 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.3 N/A N/A N/A Black 40.3 36.6 32.9 33 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- -- -- Hispanic 1.6 4 2.8 1.7 White 53.1 57.2 61.9 60.9 Two or more races N/A 0.9 1.7 3.4 Unknown / Missing data 4.4 0.6 0.6 0.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 318 325 362 297

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Arkansas [ Outcomes Data ]

1. Reduce Recurrence of Child Abuse and/or Neglect (NCANDS)

1.1 Recurrence of Maltreatment Within 6 Months (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children without a recurrence 95.5 94.4 94.6 94.1 Children with one or more recurrences 4.5 5.6 5.4 5.9 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 3,662 3,887 3,372 3,523

2. Reduce the Incidence of Child Abuse and/or Neglect in Foster Care (NCANDS, AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database Jan-Sept)

2.1 Maltreatment in Foster Care (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children maltreated while in foster care 0.3 0.2 0.3 0.3 Children not maltreated while in foster care 99.7 99.8 99.7 99.7 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 4,530 5,991 5,428 5,416

3. Increase Permanency for Children in Foster Care (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database:  Fiscal Year Data)

3.1 Exits from Foster Care (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 11.4 10.7 10.9 9.3 Guardianship -- -- 1 1.7 Reunification 49 59.7 71.5 81 Other 4.4 5.3 6.2 8 Missing data 35.1 24.4 10.4 0.1 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 2,160 3,679 3,244 3,195 Percent Exits from Foster Care 1999 2000 2001 2002   3.2 Exits of Disabled Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 16.5 15.8 21.7 20.9 Guardianship -- -- 0.7 1.9 Reunification 44.6 51.1 54.8 59.6 Other 4.7 8.9 13.6 17.5 Missing data 34.2 24.1 9.1 -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 278 783 538 359 3.3 Exits of Children Over Age 12 at Entry (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 1.3 2 1.8 1.7 Guardianship -- -- 1.7 2.7 Reunification 40.1 54.4 66.8 73.7 Other 11.9 14.3 15 21.8 Missing data 46.7 29.2 14.7 0.1 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 673 1,136 946 966 3.4 Exits to Emancipation (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children age 12 or younger at entry 9.4 14.5 19.9 14.3 Children older than 12 at entry 90.6 85.5 80.1 85.7 Missing data -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 32 172 166 223

3.5 Exits by Race/Ethnicity (%) Alaska Native/A.I. Asian Asian/Pacific Islander Black Native Hawaiian/ Other P.I.   1999 2000 2001 2002 1999 2000 2001 2002 1999 2000 2001 2002 1999 2000 2001 2002 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 9.1 6.7 -- -- N/A -- -- -- 14.3 N/A N/A N/A 15.7 10.9 13.8 10.6 N/A -- -- -- Guardianship -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- N/A N/A N/A -- -- 1.4 0.5 N/A -- -- -- Reunification 36.4 40 60 100 N/A 72.7 100 90.9 -- N/A N/A N/A 3.7 5 6.3 8.9 N/A -- 33.3 -- Other 9.1 6.7 -- -- N/A -- -- 9.1 57.1 N/A N/A N/A 32.2 22.5 12.6 0.1 N/A -- -- -- Missing data 45.5 46.7 40 -- N/A 27.3 -- -- N/A -- 66.7 -- Total % 100 100 100 100 N/A 100 100 100 100 N/A N/A N/A 100 100 100 100 N/A -- 100 -- Number 11 15 5 7 N/A 11 8 11 7 N/A N/A N/A 645 1,180 941 846 N/A -- 3 --     Hispanic White Unable to Determine Two or More Races Missing Data   1999 2000 2001 2002 1999 2000 2001 2002 1999 2000 2001 2002 1999 2000 2001 2002 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 4 13.5 9.9 4.7 9.8 10.9 10.3 9.1 15.4 4.8 14.9 26.7 N/A 1.6 1.4 6.8 -- -- -- -- Guardianship -- -- 2 1.3 -- -- 1 2.2 -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- 2.5 -- -- -- -- Reunification 66 55.1 78.2 89.3 48.8 58.7 72.5 80.7 34.6 64.5 70.2 66.7 100 66.1 89.9 83.9 66.7 -- -- -- Other 2 3.4 5.9 4.7 4.9 5.8 6.4 8 3.8 3.2 6.4 6.7 N/A -- 2.9 6.8 3.7 -- -- -- Missing data 28 28.1 4 -- 36.5 24.7 9.8 0 46.2 27.4 8.5 -- N/A 32.3 5.8 -- 29.6 -- 100 -- Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 -- 100 -- Number 50 89 101 150 1,392 2,260 1,999 2,048 26 62 47 15 2 62 139 118 27 -- 1 --

4. Reduce Time to Reunification Without Increasing Re-entry (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database:  Fiscal Year Data)

4.1 Time to Reunification (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Less than 12 mos. 83.4 86.2 85.7 86.1 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 10.9 9.4 10.4 9.4 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 3.8 2.4 1.6 2.4 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 0.6 0.8 0.6 0.7 48 or more mos. 1.3 0.7 0.5 0.5 Missing data 0.1 0.5 1.3 0.8 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 1,059 2,196 2,319 2,588 4.2 Children Who Entered Foster Care (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children entering care for the first time 78.7 85.8 81.4 81.7 Children re-entering care within 12 mos. of a prior episode 10.6 10.5 12.1 11.2 Children re-entering care more than 12 mos. after a prior episode 1.6 2.6 5.8 6.8 Missing data 9.2 1.1 0.6 0.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 2,489 3,542 3,347 3,330

5. Reduce Time in Foster Care to Adoption (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database:  Fiscal Year Data)

5.1 Time to Adoption (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Less than 12 mos. 4.5 8.7 5.9 7.1 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 21.5 25.5 29.3 27 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 26.4 21.2 28.7 30.7 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 15.9 16.3 17.2 17.9 48 or more mos. 29.7 11.7 18.9 16.2 Missing data 2 16.6 -- 1 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 246 392 355 296

6. Increase Placement Stability (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database)

6.1 Number of Placements by Time in Care (%) Year Children With 2 or Fewer Placements Children With 2 or Fewer Placements Missing Data Total % Number Less than 12 mos. 1999 68.6 31.2 0.2 100 2,808 2000 73.8 18.3 8 100 4,048 2001 75.3 23.2 1.6 100 3,797 2002 76.8 21.6 1.5 100 3,753 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 1999 39.9 59.7 0.5 100 865 2000 49.2 47.8 3 100 1,163 2001 39.4 60 0.6 100 1,086 2002 40.7 59 0.3 100 1,073 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 1999 49.6 50.1 0.3 100 617 2000 39 57.1 4 100 580 2001 28.8 71 0.2 100 521 2002 25.9 73.9 0.2 100 559 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 1999 54.5 44.8 0.7 100 279 2000 42.5 54.5 3 100 400 2001 24.4 74.9 0.7 100 287 2002 23.3 76.4 0.4 100 275 48 or more mos. 1999 67.8 31.6 0.6 100 475 2000 53.7 44 2.3 100 441 2001 36.2 62.1 1.7 100 475 2002 23 71.9 5.1 100 434 Missing data 1999 82.4 14.7 2.9 100 34 2000 75 -- 25 100 92 2001 70.3 -- 29.7 100 37 2002 69.8 -- 30.2 100 53

7. Reduce Placements of Young Children in Group Homes or Institutions (AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database)

7.1 Most Recent Placement Settings of Children Who Entered Care During the Fiscal Year and Were Age 12 or Younger at the Time of This Placement (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Group homes -- -- 0.7 1.8 Institutions 8.8 3.8 8.3 11.5 Other settings 90.7 96 90.9 86.7 Missing data 0.4 0.2 0 0 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 1,640 2,277 2,318 2,325

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Arkansas [ Federal Comment ]

The following discussion focuses on Arkansas’ performance with regard to each of the outcomes assessed in the Child Welfare Outcomes Annual Reports to Congress. The Arkansas Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) was completed in fiscal year (FY) 2001, and compliance with the national standards was based on data from 1999. The final report for that review is available from the Child Welfare Monitoring Documents Library. A discussion of the implications of CFSR findings for Arkansas’ performance on the Report to Congress Outcomes is provided in Child Welfare Outcomes 2000.

The Federal Comment includes an examination of State performance in 2002 and the percent change in performance from 1999 to 2002. A difference in percent change from 1999 to 2002 that was less than 5.0 in either direction was considered to represent “no change in performance.” With the exception of outcome measure 2.1, the data presented in the Report to Congress are rounded to one decimal. However, the percent change in performance was calculated using data rounded to two decimals. Measure 2.1 is rounded to two decimals because the national standard is less than one percent. Key findings of the analyses of national data pertaining to State variation in performance on the outcome measures are incorporated into a State’s Federal Comment when relevant.

Outcome 1. Reduce recurrence of child abuse and/or neglect
In calendar year (CY) 2002, Arkansas’ rate of maltreatment recurrence within 6 months was 5.9 percent, which is less than both the national standard (6.1 percent or less) and the national median (7.5 percent). However, performance on this measure declined from 1999 to 2002 (+31.1 percent change).

Outcome 2. Reduce the incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care
In CY 2002, Arkansas’ incidence of maltreatment in foster care was 0.26 percent, which is less than both the national standard (0.57 percent or less) and the national median (0.39 percent). Performance on this measure improved from 1999 to 2002 (-9.4 percent change).

Outcome 3. Increase permanency for children in foster care
In FY 2002, 92.0 percent of children exiting foster care in Arkansas were discharged to a permanent home (which is more than the national median of 86.1 percent); 82.5 percent of children with a diagnosed disability who exited foster care were discharged to a permanent home (which is more than the national median of 79.8 percent); and 78.1 percent of children exiting foster care who were older than age 12 at entry into foster care were discharged to a permanent home (which is more than the national median of 72.0 percent). In addition, 14.3 percent of the children emancipated from foster care were age 12 or younger at the time of entry into foster care (which is less than the national median of 26.9 percent). These findings suggest that the State is relatively successful in achieving permanency for children exiting foster care. Change in performance from FY 1999 to FY 2002 cannot be assessed because in FY 1999, more than 30 percent of the exits from foster care for the various measures did not have “reason for discharge” information (i.e., were recorded as missing data).

Outcome 4. Reduce time to reunification without increasing re-entry
In FY 2002, the percentage of all reunifications in Arkansas occurring within 12 months of a child’s entry into foster care was 86.1, which is more than both the national standard (76.2 percent or more) and the national median (68.0 percent). Change in performance from 1999 to 2002 cannot be assessed because in FY 1999, 35.1 percent of the exits from foster care that were reported for outcome measure 3.1 did not have “reason for discharge” information.

Because the cross-State analyses of performance on this measure found a substantial positive relationship between the percentage of reunifications within 12 months and the percentage of children entering foster care who were re-entering within 12 months of a prior episode, Arkansas’ performance with regard to reunifications within 12 months must be considered in the context of its reentry rate. For Arkansas, the percentage of children entering foster care in FY 2002 who were re-entering within 12 months of a discharge from a prior foster care episode was 11.2, which is more than both the national standard (8.6 percent or less) and the national median (9.9 percent). In addition, performance on this measure declined slightly from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (+6.0 percent change). Thus, although Arkansas had a relatively high percentage of reunifications in FY 2002 occurring within 12 months of entry into foster care, the State also had a relatively high percentage of children entering foster care in FY 2002 who were re-entering within 12 months of a prior episode.

Outcome 5. Reduce time in foster care to adoption
In FY 2002, the percentage of all finalized adoptions occurring within 24 months of a child’s entry into foster care was 34.1, which is more than both the national standard (32.0 percent or more) and the national median (23.0 percent). Change in performance on this measure cannot be assessed because data in prior years exhibited a substantial discrepancy between the number of finalized adoptions the State provided in its AFCARS Adoption data submission and the number of exits to a finalized adoption the State provided in its AFCARS Foster Care data submission.

Outcome 6. Increase placement stability
In FY 2002, the percentage of children who experienced no more than 2 placement settings during their first 12 months in foster care was 76.8, which is less than both the national standard (86.7 percent or more) and the national median (84.1 percent). However, Arkansas’ performance on this measure improved from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (+12.0 percent change).

Outcome 7. Reduce placements of young children in group homes and institutions
In FY 2002, the percentage of children age 12 or younger placed in a group home or institution was 13.2, which is more than the national median of 8.6 percent. Performance on this measure declined from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (+49.8 percent change).

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