Home > Statistics & Research > Child Welfare Outcomes 2002 > Chapter Six > Nebraska
Nebraska
Context Data | Outcomes Data | State Comment | Federal Comment
Nebraska [ Context Data ]
A. Key Context Statistics
|
General Population (Census Bureau)
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
Total children under 18 years
|
443,800
|
444,051
|
442,774
|
439,393
|
Race/ethnicity (%)1,
2
|
|
|
|
|
| Alaska Native/American Indian | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Asian | N/A | 1.3 | 1.4 | 1.5 |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 1.7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Black | 5 | 5.3 | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | N/A | N/A | 0 | 0 |
| Hispanic | 6.9 | 8.3 | 8.6 | 8.9 |
| White | 85 | 81.8 | 81.2 | 80.7 |
| Two or more races | N/A | 2.1 | 2 | 2 |
| Other | N/A | 0.2 | 0 | 0 |
% Child population in poverty
|
12
|
11.4
|
13.5
|
12.7
|
Child Welfare Summary
|
1999
|
2000
|
2002
|
2002
|
| Child maltreatment victims3 | 3,474 | 3,612 | 3,314 | 3,909 |
| Children in foster care on 9/30 | 5,146 | 5,674 | 6,254 | 6,430 |
| Children adopted | 279 | 293 | 292 | 308 |
|
| 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
| 13,582 | 9,997 | 10,707 | 12,262 | 30.6 per 1,000 | 22.5 per 1,000 | 24.2 per 1,000 | 27.9 per 1,000 |
| Child maltreatment victims | 3,474 | 3,612 | 3,314 | 3,909 | 7.8 per 1,000 | 8.1 per 1,000 | 7.5 per 1,000 | 8.9 per 1,000 |
| Child fatalities | 1 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 0.2 per 100,000 | 0.7 per 100,000 | 0.4 per 100,000 | 1.4 per 100,000 |
|
|
Age of Child Victims (%)
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
| Under 1 Year | 8.4 | 9.5 | 9.5 | 10.3 |
| 1-5 years | 31.3 | 31.2 | 31.4 | 35.7 |
| 6-10 years | 31 | 30.1 | 30.1 | 27.6 |
| 11-15 years | 22.3 | 22.6 | 23 | 21.1 |
| 16+ years | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 |
| Unknown / Missing data | 2.7 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 0.9 |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
3,474
|
3,612
|
3,314
|
3,909
|
Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims
(%)
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
| Alaska Native/American
Indian | 4.6 | 6.1 | 5.6 | 6 |
| Asian/Pacific
Islander | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| Black | 12.4 | 12.6 | 11.2 | 10.6 |
| Hispanic | 0 | 7 | 8.3 | 8 |
| White | 66.1 | 67.2 | 65.9 | 67.1 |
| Two or more races | 8.6 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 |
| Total %4 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
3,474
|
3,612
|
3,314
|
3,909
|
Maltreatment Type of Child Victims (%)
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
| Emotional Abuse | 3.9 | 5.1 | 6.7 | 6.9 |
| Medical Neglect | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Neglect | 64.5 | 70.8 | 68.7 | 71.7 |
| Physical Abuse | 21.6 | 23.6 | 26.1 | 22.1 |
| Sexual Abuse | 9.8 | 10.4 | 11.5 | 9.6 |
| Unknown / Missing data | 0 | -- | -- | -- |
| Other | 0 | -- | -- | -- |
| Total %5 | 100 | 110 | 113.1 | 110.4 |
Number
|
3,474
|
3,612
|
3,314
|
3,909
|
|
| 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) | 4,440 | 2,806 | 2,100 | 5,146 | 7,246 |
| FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) | 5,054 | 3,134 | 2,514 | 5,674 | 8,188 |
| FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) | 5,540 | 3,350 | 2,636 | 6,254 | 8,890 |
| FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) | 5,917 | 3,320 | 2,807 | 6,430 | 9,237 |
Median Length of Stay (Months) | |
| FY1999 (10/1/98 - 9/30/99) | 9.2 | N/A | 11 | 14.8 | N/A |
| FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) | 14.6 | N/A | 14.3 | 14.4 | N/A |
| FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) | 14.3 | N/A | 14.9 | 15 | N/A |
| FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) | 14.7 | N/A | 14.9 | 15.8 | 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 | 2.3 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 8.6 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 2 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 2.4 | 2.6 |
| 1-5 years | 20.2 | 17.5 | 18.5 | 19.6 | 17 | 19.4 | 17.9 | 20.3 | 21.6 | 18.2 | 18.2 | 20.1 | 16.8 | 17.8 | 18.6 | 19.6 |
| 6-10 years | 22.8 | 19.4 | 18.9 | 18.9 | 16.1 | 17.1 | 17.5 | 16 | 23.6 | 19.2 | 17.1 | 18.2 | 18.7 | 18.1 | 18.1 | 17.4 |
| 11-15 years | 33.7 | 34.7 | 33.1 | 31.8 | 37.3 | 35 | 35.7 | 33.8 | 22.9 | 23.6 | 25.5 | 22.5 | 33.8 | 31.9 | 30.5 | 29.2 |
| 16-18 years | 20.9 | 25.9 | 26.8 | 27.1 | 21.9 | 21 | 21.4 | 21.3 | 29.5 | 37.2 | 37.3 | 37.2 | 28.3 | 29.6 | 30.4 | 31.1 |
| 19+ years | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Unknown / Missing data | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
4,440
|
5,054
|
5,540
|
5,917
|
2,806
|
3,134
|
3,350
|
3,320
|
2,100
|
2,514
|
2,636
|
2,807
|
5,146
|
5,674
|
6,254
|
6,430
|
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 | 7.5 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 7.1 | 6.2 | 8.4 | 8.3 | 7.2 | 8.8 | 9.7 | 7.5 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 7.1 |
| Asian | N/A | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 | N/A | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.7 | N/A | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.1 | N/A | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.6 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.5 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.3 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Black | 16.8 | 16.5 | 16.6 | 16.7 | 13 | 14.4 | 13.7 | 12.6 | 13.2 | 13.5 | 12.4 | 12.4 | 16.2 | 16.6 | 16.8 | 16.5 |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander | N/A | -- | -- | -- | N/A | -- | -- | 0 | N/A | -- | -- | -- | N/A | -- | -- | 0 |
| Hispanic | 7.2 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 8 | 9.5 | 8.6 | 9.6 | 9.1 | 9.5 | 8.9 | 9.3 | 9.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 8 | 7.9 |
| White | 66.3 | 66 | 65.5 | 65.2 | 67.4 | 67.8 | 67.9 | 66.5 | 66.8 | 67.9 | 67.2 | 64.7 | 66.7 | 66.1 | 66.1 | 66 |
| Two or more races | N/A | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.6 | N/A | 0 | 0.4 | 0.5 | N/A | 0 | 0.2 | 0.5 | N/A | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.6 |
| Unknown / Missing data | 1.8 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 1.6 | 1.6 |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
4,440
|
5,054
|
5,540
|
5,917
|
2,806
|
3,134
|
3,350
|
3,320
|
2,100
|
2,514
|
2,636
|
2,807
|
5,146
|
5,674
|
6,254
|
6,430
|
|
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 | 437 | 488 | 352 | 410 |
| Children whose parents' rights have been terminated
(TPR) | 231 | 258 | 199 | 252 |
Age of Waiting Children (%)
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
| Under 1 Year | 3.9 | 4.1 | 1.7 | 0.7 |
| 1-5 years | 38.9 | 35 | 33 | 31.2 |
| 6-10 years | 35.2 | 36.5 | 38.6 | 35.6 |
| 11-15 years | 19 | 20.5 | 22.2 | 26.8 |
| 16+ years | 2.7 | 2.3 | 4 | 4.4 |
| Unknown / Missing data | 0.2 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.2 |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
437
|
488
|
352
|
410
|
Race/Ethnicity of Waiting Children (%)
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
| Alaska Native/American
Indian | 5.3 | 7.8 | 8.5 | 10.5 |
| Asian | N/A | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.7 |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.2 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Black | 17.4 | 19.7 | 21.6 | 31 |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific
Islander | N/A | -- | -- | -- |
| Hispanic | 10.8 | 10 | 9.7 | 6.6 |
| White | 64.1 | 60.5 | 58 | 49 |
| Two or more races | N/A | 0.2 | -- | 0.7 |
| Unknown / Missing data | 2.3 | 1.6 | 2 | 1.5 |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
437
|
488
|
352
|
410
|
|
| 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 | 1.1 | -- | 1.4 | 1 |
| 1-5 years | 43.4 | 41 | 42.8 | 48.7 |
| 6-10 years | 40.9 | 41 | 33.9 | 34.7 |
| 11-15 years | 12.5 | 16 | 19.2 | 14 |
| 16+ years | 2.2 | 2 | 2.7 | 1.6 |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
279
|
293
|
292
|
308
|
Race/Ethnicity of Adopted Children (%)
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
| Alaska Native/American
Indian | 2.2 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 5.2 |
| Asian | N/A | -- | 0.3 | -- |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | -- | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Black | 19.4 | 21.8 | 16.1 | 14.6 |
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific
Islander | N/A | -- | -- | -- |
| Hispanic | 6.8 | 3.8 | 7.9 | 9.1 |
| White | 70.3 | 68.3 | 69.2 | 68.5 |
| Two or more races | N/A | -- | 0.7 | 1.3 |
| Unknown / Missing data | 1.4 | 1.7 | 1 | 1.3 |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
279
|
293
|
292
|
308
|
|
Back to Top
Nebraska[ 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 | 95.2 | 92.4 | 94.5 | 95.3 |
| Children with one or more recurrences | 4.8 | 7.6 | 5.5 | 4.7 |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
1,118
|
1,425
|
1,427
|
1,557
|
|

|
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 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Children not maltreated while in foster care | -- | 100 | 99.9 | 99.9 |
| Total % | -- | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
| --
|
7,637
|
8,310
|
8,561
|
|

|
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 | 6.6 | 7.1 | 0.7 | 1.7 |
| Guardianship | 3.3 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 1.2 |
| Reunification | 65.9 | 62.6 | 80.3 | 73.6 |
| Other | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 0.9 |
| Missing data | 23.6 | 26.6 | 18.2 | 22.5 |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
2,100
|
2,514
|
2,636
|
2,807
|
Percent Exits from Foster Care
| | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 |  |  |  |  | | |
3.2 Exits of Disabled Children (%)
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
| Adoption | 6.7 | 10.3 | -- | 6.6 |
| Guardianship | -- | -- | 2.3 | 0.4 |
| Reunification | 66.7 | 65.5 | 76.7 | 76.4 |
| Other | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Missing data | 26.7 | 24.1 | 20.9 | 16.7 |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
15
|
29
|
43
|
258
|
3.3 Exits of Children Over Age 12 at Entry (%)
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
| Adoption | -- | 0.1 | -- | -- |
| Guardianship | 1.8 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.9 |
| Reunification | 76.7 | 72.8 | 82.2 | 75.8 |
| Other | 0.2 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 1.4 |
| Missing data | 21.2 | 25.1 | 17.7 | 21.9 |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
825
|
1,191
|
1,234
|
1,290
|
3.4 Exits to Emancipation (%)
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
| Children age 12 or younger at entry | 50 | 50 | -- | -- |
| Children older than 12 at entry | 50 | 50 | -- | 100 |
| Missing data | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | -- | 100 |
Number
|
2
|
2
|
|
2
|
|
|
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 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 1.8 | N/A | -- | -- | -- | -- | N/A | N/A | N/A | 5.4 | 10.6 | 1.5 | 1.1 | N/A | -- | -- | -- |
| Guardianship | 1.1 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 1.1 | N/A | -- | -- | -- | -- | N/A | N/A | N/A | 4 | 5.3 | 0.3 | 1.1 | N/A | -- | -- | -- |
| Reunification | 55.4 | 56.4 | 71.2 | 64.6 | N/A | 71.4 | 100 | 87.1 | -- | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.9 | N/A | -- | -- | -- |
| Other | -- | 2.8 | -- | -- | N/A | -- | -- | -- | 18.2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 27.4 | 27.1 | 21.3 | 24.6 | N/A | -- | -- | -- |
| Missing data | 41.7 | 36.5 | 26.2 | 32.5 | N/A | 28.6 | -- | 12.9 | N/A | -- | -- | -- |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | N/A | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | N/A | -- | -- | -- |
Number
|
175
|
181
|
233
|
271
|
N/A
|
14
|
21
|
31
|
11
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
277
|
340
|
328
|
349
|
N/A
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
| | | 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 | 7.5 | 2.7 | -- | 1.5 | 7.4 | 7.5 | 0.7 | 2 | 3 | 9.1 | -- | -- | N/A | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Guardianship | 2.5 | 3.1 | -- | 2.6 | 3.7 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 1.2 | -- | 2.3 | -- | -- | N/A | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Reunification | 58.3 | 61.8 | 72.5 | 70.8 | 68.6 | 64.6 | 83 | 75.4 | 78.8 | 65.9 | 90.9 | 78 | 100 | 50 | 60 | 53.8 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Other | 0.5 | -- | -- | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.9 | -- | 2.3 | -- | 3.4 | N/A | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Missing data | 31.2 | 32.4 | 27.5 | 23.6 | 19.7 | 24.8 | 15.7 | 20.6 | 18.2 | 20.5 | 9.1 | 18.6 | N/A | 50 | 40 | 46.2 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Number
|
199
|
225
|
244
|
267
|
1,403
|
1,708
|
1,772
|
1,817
|
33
|
44
|
33
|
59
|
2
|
2
|
5
|
13
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
|
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. | 52.6 | 44.4 | 40.3 | 39.9 |
| At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. | 26.4 | 30.7 | 27.2 | 29.3 |
| At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. | 9.2 | 12.4 | 15.6 | 15.5 |
| At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. | 5.3 | 5.8 | 9.3 | 8.7 |
| 48 or more mos. | 6.5 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 6.5 |
| Missing data | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
1,384
|
1,575
|
2,118
|
2,066
|
4.2 Children Who Entered Foster Care (%)
|
1999
|
2000
|
2001
|
2002
|
| Children entering care for the first time | 91.8 | 92.9 | 90 | 83.8 |
| Children re-entering care within 12 mos. of a prior episode | 3.1 | 3.5 | 4.8 | 8 |
| Children re-entering care more than 12 mos. after a prior episode | 0.2 | 2.1 | 3.9 | 6.8 |
| Missing data | 4.9 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.4 |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
2,806
|
3,134
|
3,350
|
3,320
|
|

|
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. | 18.1 | -- | -- | -- |
| At least 12 mos., but less than 24
mos. | 24.6 | 17.9 | 5.3 | 8.2 |
| At least 24 mos., but less than 36
mos. | 10.9 | 26.3 | 15.8 | 30.6 |
| At least 36 mos., but less than 48
mos. | 21.7 | 21.8 | 21.1 | 22.4 |
| 48 or more mos. | 24.6 | 34.1 | 57.9 | 38.8 |
| Missing data | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
138
|
179
|
19
|
49
|
|

|
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 | 87.4 | 12.6 | -- | 100 | 3,321 |
| 2000 | 83.4 | 16.6 | -- | 100 | 3,575 |
| 2001 | 80.4 | 19.6 | -- | 100 | 3,775 |
| 2002 | 78.2 | 21.8 | -- | 100 | 3,792 |
| At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. | 1999 | 72.7 | 27.3 | -- | 100 | 2,111 |
| 2000 | 56.8 | 43.2 | -- | 100 | 2,097 |
| 2001 | 50.8 | 49.2 | -- | 100 | 2,320 |
| 2002 | 49.4 | 50.6 | -- | 100 | 2,415 |
| At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. | 1999 | 77.1 | 22.9 | -- | 100 | 699 |
| 2000 | 52.3 | 47.7 | -- | 100 | 1,347 |
| 2001 | 33.6 | 66.4 | -- | 100 | 1,272 |
| 2002 | 31.7 | 68.3 | -- | 100 | 1,359 |
| At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. | 1999 | 81.4 | 18.6 | -- | 100 | 414 |
| 2000 | 59.8 | 40.2 | -- | 100 | 440 |
| 2001 | 36.6 | 63.4 | -- | 100 | 858 |
| 2002 | 25.1 | 74.9 | -- | 100 | 782 |
| 48 or more mos. | 1999 | 81.9 | 18.1 | -- | 100 | 691 |
| 2000 | 62.1 | 37.9 | -- | 100 | 728 |
| 2001 | 41.9 | 58.1 | -- | 100 | 664 |
| 2002 | 26 | 74 | -- | 100 | 884 |
| Missing data | 1999 | 100 | -- | -- | 100 | 10 |
| 2000 | 100 | -- | -- | 100 | 1 |
| 2001 | 100 | -- | -- | 100 | 1 |
| 2002 | 100 | -- | -- | 100 | 5 |
|

|
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 | 2.8 | 3 | 2.6 | 4.7 |
| Institutions | 8.3 | 6.6 | 6 | 3.1 |
| Other settings | 89 | 90.4 | 91.4 | 92.2 |
| Missing data | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Total % | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
Number
|
1,307
|
1,586
|
1,642
|
1,662
|
|
Back to Top
Nebraska [ State Comment ]
Sherri Haber, Deputy Administrator
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
402-471-7989
The following are Nebraska’s comments on the State data presented in
Child Welfare Outcomes 2002: Report to Congress:
The issues we would like to address relate to measures 5.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, and 3.5. All of these measures tie to the ‘Reason for
Discharge’. The State of Nebraska has had technical and programmatic issues relating to the definition of Discharge. We believe
these issues have been resolved for future reporting. We have requested assistance from the National Child Welfare Resource Center
for Information Technology to review what we have done and once we all agree that Nebraska is reporting this information
properly, resubmission of previous AFCARS will be completed. The 2004(A) AFCARS ‘Reason for Discharge’ data look very good,
so we are hopeful we are on the right path. Once these are resolved, we should see a significant change our outcome measures.
Back to Top
Nebraska [ Federal Comment ]
The following discussion focuses on Nebraska’s performance with regard to each of the outcomes assessed in the Child Welfare
Outcomes Annual Reports to Congress. The Nebraska Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) was completed in fiscal year (FY)
2002, and compliance with the national standards was based on data from 2000. The final report for that review is available from
the
Child Welfare Monitoring Documents Library. A discussion of the implications of CFSR findings for Nebraska’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, Nebraska’s rate of maltreatment recurrence within 6 months was 4.7 percent, which is less than both the
national standard (6.1 percent or less) and the national median (7.5 percent). There was no change in performance on this measure
from 1999 to 2002.
Outcome 2. Reduce the incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care
In CY 2002, Nebraska’s incidence of maltreatment in foster care was 0.09 percent, which is less than both the national standard
(0.57 percent) and the national median (0.39 percent). Change in performance on this measure is difficult to assess because of the
very small number of children reported as maltreated in foster care—three children in 2000 and eight children in 2002.
Outcome 3. Increase permanency for children in foster care
Nebraska’s performance with regard to outcome 3 cannot be assessed because of potential data quality issues. For most of the
measures for outcome 3, 20 percent or more of the children reported as exiting from foster care did not have “reason for discharge”
information. Only two children were reported to be emancipated from foster care in each of FYs 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002.
Outcome 4. Reduce time to reunification without increasing re-entry
In FY 2002, the percentage of all reunifications in Nebraska occurring within 12 months of a child’s entry into foster care was 39.9.
However, the validity of the data is questionable because 22.5 percent of the exits from foster care in FY 2002 did not have “reason
for discharge” information.
Nebraska’s performance in FY 2002 with regard to the percentage of re-entries into foster care within 12 months of a discharge
from a prior foster care episode was 8.0, which is less than both the national standard (8.6 percent or less) and the national median
(9.9 percent). However, performance on this measure declined considerably from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (+158.4 percent change).
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 8.2.
However, the validity of the data is questionable because 22.5 percent of the exits from foster care in FY 2002 did not have “reason
for discharge” information. Also, there was a substantial discrepancy between the number of adoptions provided in the State’s
AFCARS Adoption data submission (308 adoptions) and the number of exits to a finalized adoption reported in the State’s
AFCARS Foster Care data submission (49 exits to adoption). A similar discrepancy occurred in prior years.
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 78.2, which is less than both the national standard (86.7 percent or more) and the national median (84.1 percent).
Nebraska’s performance on this measure declined from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (-10.5 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 7.8, which is less than the
national median of 8.6 percent. Nebraska’s performance on this measure improved from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (-29.6 percent
change).
Back to Top
Return to Chapter VI State Data Pages
Return to Table of Contents