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

Delaware

Context Data | Outcomes Data | Federal Comment

Delaware [ Context Data ]

A. Key Context Statistics

General Population (Census Bureau) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Total children under 18 years 182,450 190,175 191,092 189,698 Race/ethnicity (%)1, 2         Alaska Native/American Indian 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 Asian N/A 2 2.2 2.4 Asian/Pacific Islander 2.3 N/A N/A N/A Black 24 23.7 23.7 23.5 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A N/A 0 0 Hispanic 5.5 7 7.2 7.4 White 67.9 64.2 64.3 64 Two or more races N/A 2.5 2.2 2.3 Other N/A 0.3 0 0 % Child population in poverty 18 17.4 9.3 12.7 Child Welfare Summary 1999 2000 2002 2002 Child maltreatment victims3 2,111 1,813 1,666 1,304 Children in foster care on 9/30 1,193 1,098 1,023 886 Children adopted 33 103 117 133

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 8,330 8,683 8,437 8,042 45.7 per 1,000 45.7 per 1,000 44.2 per 1,000 42.4 per 1,000 Child maltreatment victims 2,111 1,813 1,666 1,304 11.6 per 1,000 9.5 per 1,000 8.7 per 1,000 6.9 per 1,000 Child fatalities 3 0 1 0 1.6 per 100,000 0.0 per 100,000 0.5 per 100,000 0.0 per 100,000

Age of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 5.4 8.9 9.1 9.3 1-5 years 25.8 26.5 25.9 30.2 6-10 years 33 31.5 30.5 29.1 11-15 years 25.6 25.5 26.2 24.9 16+ years 8.8 7.6 8.2 6.4 Unknown / Missing data 1.4 -- 0.1 0.1 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 2,111 1,813 1,666 1,304 Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 0.1 -- 0.1 -- Asian/Pacific Islander 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.2 Black 44.6 44.1 46.3 48.2 Hispanic 7.9 7 9.5 8.5 White 52.4 48.3 43.7 42.8 Two or more races 0 -- -- -- Total %4 106.5 100 100 100 Number 2,111 1,813 1,666 1,304 Maltreatment Type of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Emotional Abuse 15.5 18.7 19.3 20.6 Medical Neglect 1.8 3.5 1.9 3.3 Neglect 37.5 32 31.1 41.3 Physical Abuse 25.3 20.5 22.3 21.1 Sexual Abuse 11.1 9.4 9.7 8.7 Unknown / Missing data 0 -- -- -- Other 9 16 15.7 14.2 Total %5 100.2 100 100 109.2 Number 2,111 1,813 1,666 1,304

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) 1,002 1,002 811 1,193 2,004 FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) 1,033 950 886 1,098 1,983 FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) 1,000 939 916 1,023 1,939 FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) 895 918 928 886 1,813 Median Length of Stay (Months)   FY1999 (10/1/98 - 9/30/99) 11.5 N/A 3.7 12.5 N/A FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) 14.1 N/A 5.4 13.7 N/A FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) 14.7 N/A 4.6 13.3 N/A FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) 15.1 N/A 4.6 11.9 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 4.2 4.4 4.3 4.1 11.1 10 9.5 8.5 4.8 4.5 4.4 3 4.5 3.9 3.8 4.1 1-5 years 25 25.1 22.8 21.3 15.5 14.9 13.7 14.4 17.5 20.7 18.8 16.3 23 20.8 20 22 6-10 years 26.3 24.5 23.6 22.6 14.7 15.2 14.3 10 18 16.8 16.4 16.7 22.9 22.4 20.6 14.4 11-15 years 25 25.3 27.8 29.2 29.8 32.1 32.7 33.9 20.7 22.6 24 25.9 28 29.2 30.2 31.8 16-18 years 19.4 20.5 21.4 22.7 28.9 27.8 29.8 33.2 38.3 34.9 36 37.6 21.4 23.6 25.1 27.5 19+ years 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.1 -- -- -- -- 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.1 Unknown / Missing data -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0.1 -- -- -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Number 1,002 1,033 1,000 895 1,002 950 939 918 811 886 916 928 1,193 1,098 1,023 886 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 -- -- 0.1 -- -- 0.3 0.1 0.2 -- 0.2 0.2 0.1 -- 0 -- 0.1 Asian N/A 0 -- 0.1 N/A -- 0.1 0.3 N/A -- -- 0.3 N/A 0 0 0.1 Asian/Pacific Islander -- N/A N/A N/A 0.3 N/A N/A N/A 0.2 N/A N/A N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A Black 62.5 61.9 62 61.2 59.8 61.4 57.1 57.4 58.2 59.8 57.8 56 63.1 63 61.3 62.8 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- -- -- N/A -- -- 0.1 N/A -- -- 0.1 N/A -- -- -- Hispanic 6.4 7.6 8 6.8 6.6 5.6 7.7 8.9 5.5 5.6 9.3 9.7 7.1 7.5 6.5 6 White 30.6 30.2 29.9 31.8 32.8 32.7 35 33 34.8 34.1 32.8 33.7 29.7 29.3 32.1 31 Two or more races N/A -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- Unknown / Missing data 0.5 0.2 -- -- 0.5 -- -- -- 1.2 0.2 -- -- -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Number 1,002 1,033 1,000 895 1,002 950 939 918 811 886 916 928 1,193 1,098 1,023 886

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 271 334 319 210 Children whose parents' rights have been terminated (TPR) 123 181 192 135 Age of Waiting Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 0.7 2.4 4.4 2.9 1-5 years 40.2 36.8 34.2 44.3 6-10 years 45.8 41.3 36.4 26.7 11-15 years 12.9 18.6 24.5 26.2 16+ years 0.4 0.6 0.6 -- Unknown / Missing data -- 0.3 -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 271 334 319 210 Race/Ethnicity of Waiting Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian -- -- -- -- Asian N/A -- -- -- Asian/Pacific Islander -- N/A N/A N/A Black 66.8 67.7 62.4 61 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- -- -- Hispanic 6.3 6.3 5.3 3.8 White 26.9 26 32.3 35.2 Two or more races N/A -- -- -- Unknown / Missing data -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 271 334 319 210

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 -- -- 1.7 -- 1-5 years 57.6 58.3 51.3 37.6 6-10 years 42.4 32 35.9 38.3 11-15 years -- 9.7 10.3 23.3 16+ years -- -- 0.9 0.8 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 33 103 117 133 Race/Ethnicity of Adopted Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian -- -- -- -- Asian N/A -- -- -- Asian/Pacific Islander -- N/A N/A N/A Black 39.4 55.3 61.5 60.9 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- -- -- Hispanic 6.1 3.9 10.3 9.8 White 51.5 38.8 28.2 29.3 Two or more races N/A -- -- -- Unknown / Missing data 3 1.9 -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 33 103 117 133

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Delaware [ 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 97.9 97 97.2 98.8 Children with one or more recurrences 2.1 3 2.8 1.2 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 1,070 922 1,058 737

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 0.1 -- 0.1 0.1 Children not maltreated while in foster care 99.9 -- 99.9 99.9 Total % 100 -- 100 100 Number 1,869 -- 1,750 1,627

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 4.7 10.9 13 14.7 Guardianship 3.9 1.8 3.3 4.4 Reunification 83.5 79.3 76.5 72.7 Other 7.9 7.9 7.1 8.2 Missing data -- -- 0.1 -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 811 886 916 928 Percent Exits from Foster Care 1999 2000 2001 2002   3.2 Exits of Disabled Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 1.6 12.8 12.2 29.6 Guardianship 8.2 3.8 8.1 8.5 Reunification 80.3 67.9 55.4 49.3 Other 9.8 15.4 24.3 12.7 Missing data -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 61 78 74 71 3.3 Exits of Children Over Age 12 at Entry (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption -- -- 0.2 0.4 Guardianship 2.4 0.4 0.9 0.6 Reunification 84.3 85.5 87.7 86.1 Other 13.3 14.1 11.3 12.9 Missing data -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 414 447 470 505 3.4 Exits to Emancipation (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children age 12 or younger at entry 17 10.9 24 14.3 Children older than 12 at entry 83 87 76 84.3 Missing data -- 2.2 -- 1.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 47 46 50 70

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 -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- N/A N/A N/A 4.2 10 13.6 15.4 N/A -- -- -- Guardianship -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- N/A N/A N/A 3.4 1.3 2.3 4.4 N/A -- -- -- Reunification -- 100 50 100 N/A -- -- 100 -- N/A N/A N/A 7.6 7.4 5.9 8.1 N/A -- -- 100 Other -- -- 50 -- N/A -- -- -- -- N/A N/A N/A -- -- 0.2 -- N/A -- -- -- Missing data -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- Total % -- 100 100 100 N/A -- -- 100 100 N/A N/A N/A 100 100 100 100 N/A -- -- 100 Number -- 2 2 1 N/A -- -- 3 2 N/A N/A N/A 472 530 529 520 N/A -- -- 1     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 4.4 6 16.5 11.1 4.6 13.2 11 14.7 30 50 -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Guardianship -- 2 8.2 4.4 5.7 2.6 3.7 4.5 -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Reunification 86.7 88 67.1 75.6 81.6 74.5 76.7 72.5 60 50 -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Other 8.9 4 8.2 8.9 8.2 9.6 8.7 8.3 10 -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Missing data -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Number 45 50 85 90 282 302 300 313 10 2 -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- --

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. 83.6 83.6 86 85.2 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 12.4 11.2 9 11 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 2.4 2.6 2 1 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 0.6 1.4 1.7 0.9 48 or more mos. 0.6 0.9 0.9 1.5 Missing data 0.4 0.3 0.4 0.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 677 703 701 675 4.2 Children Who Entered Foster Care (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children entering care for the first time 72.8 69.2 71.4 63.4 Children re-entering care within 12 mos. of a prior episode 15.5 16.5 16.8 24.1 Children re-entering care more than 12 mos. after a prior episode 10.2 11.4 11.1 10.8 Missing data 1.6 2.9 0.7 1.7 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 1,002 950 939 918

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. -- 1 1.7 2.9 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 7.9 18.6 16 11 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 26.3 36.1 30.3 31.6 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 26.3 21.6 25.2 30.1 48 or more mos. 39.5 22.7 26.9 24.3 Missing data -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 38 97 119 136

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 97.7 2.3 -- 100 1,192 2000 97.3 2.7 -- 100 1,136 2001 96.2 3.8 -- 100 1,117 2002 98.3 1.7 -- 100 1,057 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 1999 82.9 17.1 -- 100 357 2000 84.2 15.8 -- 100 323 2001 80.9 19.1 -- 100 298 2002 77.3 22.7 -- 100 278 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 1999 72.7 27.3 -- 100 183 2000 73.1 26.9 -- 100 219 2001 71 29 -- 100 186 2002 61 39 -- 100 164 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 1999 71.2 28.8 -- 100 104 2000 69.9 30.1 -- 100 123 2001 66.7 33.3 -- 100 156 2002 57.9 42.1 -- 100 114 48 or more mos. 1999 71.6 28.4 -- 100 162 2000 57.5 42.5 -- 100 179 2001 48.6 51.4 -- 100 179 2002 42.7 57.3 -- 100 192 Missing data 1999 100 -- -- 100 6 2000 100 -- -- 100 3 2001 100 -- -- 100 3 2002 100 -- -- 100 8

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 1.1 0.9 3.8 5.2 Institutions 3.9 5.9 2.8 1.4 Other settings 94.8 92.7 93.2 93.1 Missing data 0.2 0.5 0.3 0.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 466 438 395 347

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Delaware [ Federal Comment ]

The following discussion focuses on Delaware’s performance with regard to each of the outcomes assessed in the Child Welfare Outcomes Annual Reports to Congress. The Delaware 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 Delaware’s 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, Delaware’s rate of maltreatment recurrence within 6 months was 1.2 percent, which is the lowest in the nation. In addition, performance on this measure improved from 1999 to 2002 (-42.9 percent change).

The cross-State analysis of this measure found a substantial positive relationship between State performance on the measure and the State rate of child victims (i.e., the number of child victims per 1,000 children in the population). States with a relatively low rate of child victims tended to have a relatively low percentage of maltreatment recurrence. For Delaware, both the incidence of maltreatment recurrence (1.2 percent) and the rate of child victims (6.9 child victims per 1,000 children in the population) were in the bottom quartile of the State rankings.

The cross-State analysis of this measure also found a small, but definite, positive relationship between State performance on this measure and the percentage of child victims experiencing neglect. States with a relatively low percentage of child victims experiencing neglect tended to have a relatively low percentage of maltreatment recurrence. For Delaware, both the incidence of maltreatment recurrence (1.2 percent) and the percentage of child victims experiencing neglect (41.3) were in the bottom quartile of the State rankings. This suggests that a State’s definitions and laws pertaining to what constitutes maltreatment and what is necessary for substantiation may be related to that State’s performance on the outcome measure assessing maltreatment recurrence.

Outcome 2. Reduce the incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care
Delaware’s performance regarding maltreatment of children in foster care is exceptional. In FY 2002, only two children were reported as victims of maltreatment by a foster parent or facility staff members. In FY 1999, only one child was reported as a victim.

Outcome 3. Increase permanency for children in foster care
In FY 2002, 91.8 percent of children exiting foster care in Delaware were discharged to a permanent home (which is more than the national median of 86.1 percent); 87.3 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 87.1 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 exiting foster care through emancipation 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 successful in achieving permanency for children exiting foster care. Delaware’s performance on the measures assessing outcome 3 did not chang from FY 1999 to FY 2002 with the exception of performance related to the percentage of children exiting foster care to emancipation who were age 12 or younger when they entered foster care, which improved from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (-16.1 percent change).

Outcome 4. Reduce time to reunification without increasing re-entry
In FY 2002, the percentage of all reunifications in Delaware occurring within 12 months of a child’s entry into foster care was 85.2, which is more than both the national standard (76.2 percent or more) and the national median (68.0 percent). Performance with regard to reunifications within 12 months exhibited no change from FY 1999 to FY 2002.

Because the cross-State analyses of performance on this measure found a substantial positive relationship between the percentage of reunifications within 12 months in a State and the percentage of children entering foster care who were re-entering within 12 months of a prior episode, Delaware’s performance with regard to reunifications within 12 months must be considered in the context of its re-entry rate. For Delaware, 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 24.1, which is considerably 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 from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (+55.6 percent change). Thus, although Delaware 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.

The cross-State analyses of performance on the measure of re-entry into foster care also found a substantial positive relationship between State performance on this measure and the percentage of children entering foster care in the State who were age 16 or older. States with a relatively high percentage of children age 16 and older entering foster care in FY 2002 tended to have a relatively high percentage of children entering foster care who were re-entering within 12 months of a prior episode. For Delaware, both the percentage of children entering foster care who were age 16 and older (33.2 percent) and the incidence of foster care re-entry (24.1) were in the top quartile of the State rankings. One explanation for this may be that children age 16 and older who enter foster care are often entering because of their own behaviors (or through the juvenile justice system) rather than as a result of maltreatment, and they may leave the foster care system before the behavior problems are fully resolved. This is particularly relevant to Delaware, because this State provides child welfare foster care services to children in the juvenile justice system.

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 14.0, which is less than both the national standard (32.0 percent or more) and the national median (23.0 percent). Change in performance on this measure is assessed from FY 2000 to FY 2002 due to data quality issues for many States for this measure in FY 1999. Delaware’s performance on this measure declined from FY 2000 to FY 2002 (-28.7 percent change).

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 98.3, which is more than both the national standard (86.7 percent or more) and the national median (84.1 percent). Performance on this measure did not change from FY 1999 to FY 2002.

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 6.6, which is less than the national median of 8.6. Performance on this measure declined from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (+34.3 percent change).

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