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Home > Statistics & Research > Child Welfare Outcomes 2002 > Chapter Six > New Jersey

New Jersey

Context Data | Outcomes Data | Federal Comment

New Jersey [ Context Data ]

A. Key Context Statistics

General Population (Census Bureau) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Total children under 18 years 2,003,204 2,096,596 2,108,533 2,127,391 Race/ethnicity (%)1, 2         Alaska Native/American Indian 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 Asian N/A 5.9 6.1 6.2 Asian/Pacific Islander 6.3 N/A N/A N/A Black 15.9 15.6 15.9 15.9 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A N/A 0 0 Hispanic 15.8 16.2 16.8 17.2 White 61.8 59.4 59.3 58.6 Two or more races N/A 2.3 1.8 1.8 Other N/A 0.3 0 0 % Child population in poverty 10 10.9 9.6 9.3 Child Welfare Summary 1999 2000 2002 2002 Child maltreatment victims3 9,222 8,826 8,536 8,103 Children in foster care on 9/30 9,494 9,794 10,666 11,442 Children adopted 732 832 1,030 1,378

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 74,585 69,120 70,599 70,786 37.2 per 1,000 33.0 per 1,000 33.5 per 1,000 33.3 per 1,000 Child maltreatment victims 9,222 8,826 8,536 8,103 4.6 per 1,000 4.2 per 1,000 4.1 per 1,000 3.8 per 1,000 Child fatalities 29 26 26 22 1.4 per 100,000 1.2 per 100,000 1.2 per 100,000 1.0 per 100,000

Age of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 2.4 15.8 15.2 14.6 1-5 years 30.6 26.7 26.3 26.6 6-10 years 33.1 29.7 29.7 28.3 11-15 years 24.2 22.4 23.3 24 16+ years 7.3 5.5 5.4 6.4 Unknown / Missing data 2.5 0 0 0 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 9,222 8,826 8,536 8,103 Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.3 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.7 0.8 1 1 Black 47.2 44.1 45.5 44.7 Hispanic 15.3 6.1 5.9 4.7 White 33.6 36 33 35.1 Two or more races 1.6 -- -- -- Total %4 115.3 100 100 100 Number 9,222 8,826 8,536 8,103 Maltreatment Type of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Emotional Abuse 2.8 3.2 2.7 3.7 Medical Neglect 3.2 14.4 14.1 13.1 Neglect 62.7 52.8 52.4 53.5 Physical Abuse 23.3 24.7 25.3 24.1 Sexual Abuse 8 8.9 8.9 9.2 Unknown / Missing data 0 0.1 0.2 0.2 Other 0 -- -- -- Total %5 100 104.1 103.6 103.8 Number 9,222 8,826 8,536 8,103

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) 8,894 4,768 4,178 9,494 13,662 FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) 9,241 4,654 4,109 9,794 13,895 FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) 9,835 5,433 4,607 10,666 15,268 FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) 10,772 6,052 5,404 11,442 16,824 Median Length of Stay (Months)   FY1999 (10/1/98 - 9/30/99) 20 N/A 11.7 20.3 N/A FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) 20.5 N/A 12.6 20.8 N/A FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) 20.5 N/A 13.1 19.2 N/A FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) 19 N/A 13.5 18 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 7.5 6.7 6.4 7.4 20.2 20.9 21.8 20.9 6.7 6 6.3 5.6 6.5 6.3 7.4 7.4 1-5 years 32.1 31.2 31.2 30 20.9 21 21 22.6 27.3 26 27.3 29.9 31.4 31.3 30 29.8 6-10 years 23.3 24.5 24.6 24.2 18.3 17.6 19.1 18.5 17.8 18.1 20.4 19.8 24 24.1 23.8 22.7 11-15 years 23.8 24 25.1 25.7 27.8 27.6 26.5 26.6 22.7 22.7 21.9 22.7 24.4 25.3 25.6 26.3 16-18 years 12.7 12.9 12.1 12.1 12.7 12.7 11.4 11.3 23 24.2 21.9 19.9 13.1 12.6 12.6 13.1 19+ years 0.6 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 2.1 2.6 2 2 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.7 Unknown / Missing data 0.1 0 0.1 -- 0 -- 0 0 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.1 0 0 0 0 Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Number 8,894 9,241 9,835 10,772 4,768 4,654 5,433 6,052 4,178 4,109 4,607 5,404 9,494 9,794 10,666 11,442 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 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.2 Asian N/A 0.2 0.1 0.3 N/A 0.2 0.4 0.6 N/A 0.4 0.2 0.5 N/A 0.1 0.3 0.3 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.2 N/A N/A N/A 0.2 N/A N/A N/A 0.3 N/A N/A N/A 0.2 N/A N/A N/A Black 64.9 63.2 63.1 62.4 55.6 53.3 54.4 53 56.7 53.2 55 53.8 63.8 62.7 62.2 61.5 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- 0 0 N/A -- 0 -- N/A -- -- 0 N/A -- 0 0 Hispanic 9.3 8.3 7.6 7.2 7.8 7.6 6.2 6.2 9.5 9 7.7 7.8 8.4 7.6 6.8 6.3 White 21.6 22.4 22.2 22.5 28.5 28 28.1 27.7 26.8 28.5 27.2 27.1 22.8 22.5 23.1 23.1 Two or more races N/A 1.3 1.5 1.7 N/A 1.3 1.1 1.8 N/A 1.5 1.4 1.6 N/A 1.2 1.4 1.8 Unknown / Missing data 3.5 4.3 5 5.7 7.6 9.1 9.6 10.5 6.2 7 8.2 8.9 4.4 5.4 6 6.7 Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Number 8,894 9,241 9,835 10,772 4,768 4,654 5,433 6,052 4,178 4,109 4,607 5,404 9,494 9,794 10,666 11,442

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 4,427 5,032 5,618 5,752 Children whose parents' rights have been terminated (TPR) 3,655 4,129 4,905 5,376 Age of Waiting Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 3.7 3.9 6.1 7.9 1-5 years 41.4 39.9 39.4 39.8 6-10 years 29.8 29.7 28.6 26.8 11-15 years 18.3 20.3 19.8 20 16+ years 5.8 5 5.2 4.7 Unknown / Missing data 1.1 1.2 0.9 0.8 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 4,427 5,032 5,618 5,752 Race/Ethnicity of Waiting Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 0.5 0.5 0.3 0.2 Asian N/A 0.2 0.2 0.2 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.2 N/A N/A N/A Black 70.6 68.7 67.9 65.9 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- 0 0 Hispanic 8 7.4 6.8 6.6 White 18 17.9 18.4 19.1 Two or more races N/A 1.6 1.9 2.4 Unknown / Missing data 2.8 3.8 4.5 5.6 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 4,427 5,032 5,618 5,752

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 0.7 1 1 1-5 years 58.5 57.6 56.5 56.6 6-10 years 29.5 29.9 30.1 29.2 11-15 years 10.4 10.1 11.6 12.3 16+ years 0.7 1.7 0.9 0.9 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 732 832 1,030 1,378 Race/Ethnicity of Adopted Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.1 Asian N/A -- 0.3 0 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.3 N/A N/A N/A Black 65.3 65.5 66.1 64.5 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- -- 0 Hispanic 9 6.7 6.6 7 White 22.3 22.2 21 20.7 Two or more races N/A 3 2 3.3 Unknown / Missing data 2.5 2 3.5 4.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 732 832 1,030 1,378

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New Jersey [ 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 94.8 94.2 93.7 93.1 Children with one or more recurrences 5.2 5.8 6.3 6.9 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 4,514 4,346 4,344 4,081

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 1 1.3 0.6 0.7 Children not maltreated while in foster care 99 98.7 99.4 99.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 12,825 12,997 14,294 15,705

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 14.9 16.3 19.6 25.1 Guardianship -- -- -- -- Reunification 73.1 71.3 69.8 64.8 Other 11.9 12.4 10.4 9.3 Missing data 0.1 0 0.2 0.8 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 4,178 4,109 4,607 5,404 Percent Exits from Foster Care 1999 2000 2001 2002   3.2 Exits of Disabled Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 31 30.9 39.1 43.3 Guardianship -- -- -- -- Reunification 56.5 52.4 50.3 46.5 Other 12.5 16.8 10.5 10 Missing data -- -- 0.1 0.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 768 758 867 1,033 3.3 Exits of Children Over Age 12 at Entry (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption -- 0.4 0.2 0.4 Guardianship -- -- -- -- Reunification 73.3 73.1 74.2 75.9 Other 26.4 26.6 25.3 23.2 Missing data 0.3 -- 0.3 0.5 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 1,388 1,408 1,394 1,606 3.4 Exits to Emancipation (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children age 12 or younger at entry 30.1 30 28 26.9 Children older than 12 at entry 69.3 70 71.6 73.1 Missing data 0.6 -- 0.3 -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 309 307 289 290

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 13.6 10.5 33.3 20 N/A -- 14.3 7.7 7.1 N/A N/A N/A 17.2 19.2 22.3 29.8 N/A -- -- 100 Guardianship -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- N/A N/A N/A -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- Reunification 77.3 84.2 66.7 70 N/A 93.3 71.4 65.4 28.6 N/A N/A N/A 12.3 12.5 10.5 9.4 N/A -- -- -- Other 9.1 5.3 -- 10 N/A 6.7 14.3 26.9 -- N/A N/A N/A 0.2 0 0.3 1 N/A -- -- -- Missing data -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- 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 -- -- 100 Number 22 19 15 10 N/A 15 7 26 14 N/A N/A N/A 2,371 2,186 2,533 2,909 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 12.9 11.4 16 23.3 12.8 14.8 16.8 19.2 5.8 4.5 10.5 12.7 N/A 32.3 36.9 49.4 -- -- -- -- Guardianship -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Reunification 71.4 74.3 73.3 65.1 76.2 72.2 71.1 71.2 87.2 87.1 82.1 78.6 N/A 59.7 61.5 49.4 -- -- -- -- Other 15.7 14.3 10.7 10.9 10.9 13 11.9 9.4 7 8.4 7.1 7.5 N/A 8.1 1.5 1.1 -- -- -- 100 Missing data -- -- -- 0.7 0.1 -- 0.2 0.3 -- -- 0.3 1.2 N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 N/A 100 100 100 -- -- -- 100 Number 395 370 356 421 1,119 1,170 1,251 1,465 257 287 380 482 N/A 62 65 89 -- -- -- 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. 61.7 60.3 59.5 63.5 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 18.6 18.9 17.6 20.1 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 8.1 7.4 8.3 6.5 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 3.5 3.6 4 2.6 48 or more mos. 6.8 7.7 7.6 4.9 Missing data 1.2 2.1 3 2.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 3,053 2,929 3,215 3,504 4.2 Children Who Entered Foster Care (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children entering care for the first time 77.2 77.1 81.6 81 Children re-entering care within 12 mos. of a prior episode 12.7 11.3 7.9 8.2 Children re-entering care more than 12 mos. after a prior episode 8.8 9.9 8.4 9 Missing data 1.3 1.7 2.1 1.9 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 4,768 4,654 5,433 6,052

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. 3.5 3.3 3.7 3.8 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 11.6 11 12.7 13.1 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 19 19 20.8 22.5 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 24.5 22.1 20.3 21.2 48 or more mos. 39.1 43 41.6 38.4 Missing data 2.3 1.6 1 0.9 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 621 670 901 1,356

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 86.1 12.1 1.8 100 5,403 2000 85.6 12.5 1.9 100 5,286 2001 86.2 12.1 1.7 100 5,995 2002 85.1 13.6 1.3 100 6,762 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 1999 69.7 28.3 2 100 2,636 2000 67.3 29.6 3.1 100 2,739 2001 68.6 29 2.4 100 2,975 2002 69 29 1.9 100 3,474 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 1999 60.6 36.6 2.8 100 1,809 2000 59.8 37.5 2.7 100 1,759 2001 59.3 36.7 3.9 100 1,932 2002 59.7 37.8 2.6 100 2,108 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 1999 53.4 43.6 3 100 1,213 2000 54.6 42.2 3.2 100 1,328 2001 53.9 43.9 2.3 100 1,327 2002 51.7 44.5 3.8 100 1,392 48 or more mos. 1999 42.5 55 2.5 100 2,538 2000 39.6 58.1 2.4 100 2,713 2001 39.7 57.7 2.6 100 2,927 2002 37.6 59.9 2.6 100 2,979 Missing data 1999 93.7 1.6 4.8 100 63 2000 97.1 -- 2.9 100 70 2001 96.4 0.9 2.7 100 112 2002 89 0.9 10.1 100 109

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 4.9 4.1 4.5 3.5 Institutions 7.4 7.2 5.5 5.1 Other settings 86.9 88.3 89.2 91.2 Missing data 0.8 0.5 0.7 0.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 3,082 3,018 3,694 4,111

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New Jersey [ Federal Comment ]

The following discussion focuses on New Jersey’s performance with regard to each of the outcomes assessed in the Child Welfare Outcomes Annual Reports to Congress. The New Jersey Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) was completed in fiscal year (FY) 2004, and compliance with the national standards was based on data from 2002. The final report for that review is available from the Child Welfare Monitoring Documents Library. A discussion of the implications of CFSR findings for New Jersey’s performance on the Report to Congress Outcomes is provided below.

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, New Jersey’s rate of maltreatment recurrence within 6 months was 6.9 percent, which does not meet the national standard (6.1 percent or less), but is less than the national median (7.5 percent). Performance on this measure declined from 1999 to 2002 (+32.7 percent change). Information from the New Jersey CFSR Final Report indicates that stakeholders in the State believe that the State’s incidence of maltreatment recurrence is due to a lack of effective interventions with families, as well as difficulties in delivering services to families in a timely manner because of a scarcity of services.

Outcome 2. Reduce the incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care
In CY 2002, New Jersey’s incidence of maltreatment in foster care was 0.69 percent, which is more than both the national standard (0.57 percent or less) and the national median (0.39 percent). However, performance on this measure improved from 1999 to 2002 (- 31.93 percent change). Information from the CFSR Final Report indicates that the State is addressing the problem of maltreatment of children in foster care through a structured decision making process to assess risk and a placement assessment tool that can be used routinely with foster homes. However, the Final Report also indicates that stakeholders suggested that caseworkers need training with regard to knowing what to look for when assessing the safety of children in foster homes.

Outcome 3. Increase permanency for children in foster care
In FY 2002, 89.9 percent of children exiting foster care in New Jersey were discharged to a permanent home (which is more than the national median of 86.1 percent); 89.7 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 76.3 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, 26.9 percent of the children exiting foster care through emancipation were age 12 or younger at the time of entry into foster care, which is equal to the national median of 26.9 percent. These findings suggest that the State is generally successful in finding permanent homes for children exiting foster care. New Jersey’s performance improved from FY 1999 to FY 2002 with regard to the percentage of children emancipated from foster care who were age 12 or younger when they entered foster care (-10.6 percent change). Performance on the other measures for outcome 3 did not change.

Outcome 4. Reduce time to reunification without increasing re-entry
In FY 2002, the percentage of all reunifications in New Jersey occurring within 12 months of a child’s entry into foster care was 63.5, which is less than the national standard (76.2 percent or more) and the national median (68.0 percent). Performance with regard to reunifications within 12 months did not change from FY 1999 to FY 2002. Information from the CFSR Final Report identifies the following as potential barriers to achieving reunifications in a timely manner: (1) delays in providing the services necessary to achieve reunification; (2) inadequate housing (a freeze on Section 8 housing); (3) a lack of services for parents, particularly substance abuse treatment services; (4) a lack of sufficient visitation between children in foster care and their parents; and (5) a lack of recognition by parents of the problems that brought about the child’s removal.

Because the cross-State analysis 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, New Jersey’s performance in FY 2002 with regard to reunifications within 12 months must be considered in the context of its re-entry rate. For New Jersey, 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 8.2 percent, which is less than both the national standard (8.6 percent or less) and the national median (9.9 percent). Thus, although New Jersey had a relatively low percentage of reunifications in FY 2002 occurring within 12 months of entry into foster care, the State also had a relatively low percentage of children entering foster care who were re-entering within 12 months of a prior episode. The State’s performance on the measure of foster care re-entry improved from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (-35.3 percent change). Information from the CFSR Final Report indicates that although the State’s re-entry percentage meets the national standard, the State believes there is a need for more intensive in-home post-reunification services for families to prevent reentry.

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 17.0, 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. New Jersey’s performance on this measure improved from FY 2000 to FY 2002 (+18.4 percent change).

Information from the CFSR Final Report identified the following as potential barriers to achieving adoptions in a timely manner: (1) lack of sufficient agency support for relatives who want to adopt; (2) court delays in scheduling termination of parental rights (TPR) hearings; (3) parents’ appeals of TPR decisions; (4) the child’s behavioral problems; and (5) maintaining a goal of reunification for too long a period of time, even when the prognosis for reunification is low.

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 85.1, which does not meet the national standard (86.7 percent or more), but is more than the national median (84.1 percent). New Jersey’s performance on this measure did not change from FY 1999 to FY 2002. Information from the CFSR Final Report identifies the following as potential barriers to placement stability: (1) lack of consistent efforts on the part of the agency to identify appropriate and long-term foster care placements when children first enter foster care; (2) a scarcity of placement resources that results in placements based on availability rather than appropriateness; (3) insufficient preparation of foster parents and children prior to a placement; and (4) an insufficient number of group home placements for adolescents that often results in night-to-night placements.

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 8.6, which is equal to the national median of 8.6 percent. New Jersey’s performance on this measure improved from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (-30.6 percent change).

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