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

Tennessee

Context Data | Outcomes Data | Federal Comment

Tennessee [ Context Data ]

A. Key Context Statistics

General Population (Census Bureau) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Total children under 18 years 1,340,930 1,391,832 1,397,933 1,404,661 Race/ethnicity (%)1, 2         Alaska Native/American Indian 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Asian N/A 1 1.1 1.2 Asian/Pacific Islander 1.2 N/A N/A N/A Black 21.4 21.1 21.2 21.2 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A N/A 0 0 Hispanic 1.7 2.8 2.9 3.1 White 75.4 73 73 72.7 Two or more races N/A 1.6 1.5 1.6 Other N/A 0.2 0 0 % Child population in poverty 17 19.7 20.4 19.4 Child Welfare Summary 1999 2000 2002 2002 Child maltreatment victims3 10,611 16,572 9,571 8,494 Children in foster care on 9/30 10,796 10,144 9,679 9,359 Children adopted 382 431 646 922

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 33,629 51,917 50,870 37,525 25.1 per 1,000 37.3 per 1,000 36.4 per 1,000 26.7 per 1,000 Child maltreatment victims 10,611 16,572 9,571 8,494 7.9 per 1,000 11.9 per 1,000 6.8 per 1,000 6.1 per 1,000 Child fatalities 16 3 13 18 1.2 per 100,000 0.2 per 100,000 0.9 per 100,000 1.3 per 100,000

Age of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 9.1 9.9 10.8 10.3 1-5 years 30.5 30.9 31.1 30.8 6-10 years 31.1 29.4 28.7 27.9 11-15 years 23.8 24 24.2 24.5 16+ years 5.2 5.7 5.1 6.4 Unknown / Missing data 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 10,611 16,572 9,571 8,494 Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 0 0.1 0.2 0.2 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.3 Black 31.6 30.4 29.8 27.8 Hispanic 1.5 1 1.9 2.4 White 62.5 64.2 57 60 Two or more races 2.3 -- -- -- Total %4 101.5 100 106.4 100 Number 10,611 16,572 9,571 8,494 Maltreatment Type of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Emotional Abuse 1.2 2.3 1.1 1.4 Medical Neglect 3.1 3.3 2.8 7.2 Neglect 43.5 42.9 39.5 45 Physical Abuse 20 20 16.4 34 Sexual Abuse 21 21 24.4 26.2 Unknown / Missing data 0 -- -- -- Other 11.2 10.5 20 6 Total %5 100 100 104.2 119.8 Number 10,611 16,572 9,571 8,494

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) 8,296 5,968 3,481 10,796 14,264 FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) 9,034 5,480 4,370 10,144 14,514 FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) 9,101 5,667 5,089 9,679 14,768 FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) 8,755 6,047 5,443 9,359 14,802 Median Length of Stay (Months)   FY1999 (10/1/98 - 9/30/99) 17.5 N/A 12.3 13.6 N/A FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) 17.9 N/A 11.8 16.8 N/A FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) 17.4 N/A 12 15.6 N/A FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) 16.5 N/A 11.7 13.2 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 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.8 9 7.8 8.6 9.4 2.6 2.3 3.2 3.6 3.2 2.5 2.8 3.3 1-5 years 18.5 17.4 18.3 18.1 13.1 13.9 14.8 16.1 15.5 13.3 16.2 17.4 16.6 17.3 17.1 17.3 6-10 years 18.9 18.9 18.9 18.7 12.6 12.5 12.2 12 11.9 12.2 13.1 14.7 17.6 17.4 17.6 16.2 11-15 years 30.8 30.8 32 32.3 35.3 36.6 34.7 34.1 19.1 21.2 21.9 22 29.8 30.9 31.5 31.3 16-18 years 28.3 29.2 28.3 28 30 29.2 29.7 28.4 48.5 48 44.1 41 31.8 31.1 31 31.8 19+ years 0.7 0.9 -- -- -- 0 -- -- 2 2.7 1.4 1.3 1 0.7 0.1 0 Unknown / Missing data 0.1 0.1 -- -- 0 -- -- -- 0.4 0.3 -- -- 0.1 0.1 -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Number 8,296 9,034 9,101 8,755 5,968 5,480 5,667 6,047 3,481 4,370 5,089 5,443 10,796 10,144 9,679 9,359 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 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Asian N/A 0.4 0.4 0.3 N/A 0.4 0.2 0.2 N/A 0.4 0.4 0.3 N/A 0.4 0.3 0.2 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.3 N/A N/A N/A 0.5 N/A N/A N/A 0.4 N/A N/A N/A 0.4 N/A N/A N/A Black 38.2 40 38.1 36.2 35.2 30.4 28.1 27.4 29.9 31.5 30.9 29.8 39.2 38.4 36 34.2 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- -- -- N/A 0 0 -- N/A 0 0 -- N/A -- -- -- Hispanic 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.2 1.6 2.4 2.9 3.6 1.2 2.2 2.8 3 1.5 1.8 2 2.7 White 59.5 56.7 57.5 58.6 61.5 64.5 65.3 66.2 67.5 64.8 63.6 64.2 58 57.4 58.8 60.2 Two or more races N/A 1.2 1.8 2.3 N/A 1 2 1.4 N/A 0.3 1.7 1.6 N/A 1.4 1.9 2.1 Unknown / Missing data 0.5 0 0.3 0.2 1 0.9 1.1 1 0.7 0.5 0.4 0.8 0.7 0.4 0.7 0.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Number 8,296 9,034 9,101 8,755 5,968 5,480 5,667 6,047 3,481 4,370 5,089 5,443 10,796 10,144 9,679 9,359

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 1,666 2,044 2,289 2,346 Children whose parents' rights have been terminated (TPR) 992 397 480 442 Age of Waiting Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 2.1 1.5 1.8 1.8 1-5 years 23.9 27.4 26.5 24.3 6-10 years 34.1 35.9 33.1 29.1 11-15 years 30 29.4 33.2 36 16+ years 8.1 4.9 5.2 8.4 Unknown / Missing data 1.7 0.9 0.2 0.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 1,666 2,044 2,289 2,346 Race/Ethnicity of Waiting Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 Asian N/A 0.2 0.4 0.3 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.2 N/A N/A N/A Black 48.3 45.7 43.4 39.6 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- -- -- Hispanic 1.9 1.9 1.8 3.1 White 49.1 49.7 51.6 53.7 Two or more races N/A 2.3 2.4 2.9 Unknown / Missing data 0.4 0 0.3 0 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 1,666 2,044 2,289 2,346

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 0.5 1.1 1.6 1-5 years 44.5 35.3 35.3 33.8 6-10 years 34 40.6 37.5 35.8 11-15 years 17 20.4 21.5 24.8 16+ years 3.4 3.2 4.6 3.9 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 382 431 646 922 Race/Ethnicity of Adopted Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 0.8 -- 0.2 -- Asian N/A -- -- 0.4 Asian/Pacific Islander -- N/A N/A N/A Black 37.4 38.3 31 35.5 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- -- -- Hispanic 2.4 3 4.5 3.5 White 59.2 56.1 57 53.8 Two or more races N/A 1.4 7.3 6.3 Unknown / Missing data 0.3 1.2 0.2 0.5 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 382 431 646 922

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Tennessee [ 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 -- -- -- -- Children with one or more recurrences -- -- -- -- Total % -- -- -- -- Number -- -- -- --

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 -- -- -- -- Children not maltreated while in foster care -- -- -- -- Total % -- -- -- -- Number -- -- -- --

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 7.8 8.1 12.7 16.5 Guardianship 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.2 Reunification 64.1 72.1 71.1 70.9 Other 15.7 16 14.1 11.1 Missing data 11.7 3.6 2 1.2 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 3,481 4,370 5,089 5,443 Percent Exits from Foster Care 1999 2000 2001 2002   3.2 Exits of Disabled Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 18.2 24.4 43.4 50 Guardianship 0.7 -- 0.3 0.4 Reunification 44.2 52 41.8 37.8 Other 22.6 20 13.5 11.1 Missing data 14.2 3.6 1 0.7 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 274 225 392 458 3.3 Exits of Children Over Age 12 at Entry (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 0.1 0 0.2 0.4 Guardianship 0.4 0.1 0.1 0 Reunification 64.4 73.6 74.4 78.8 Other 22.3 22 22.3 18.6 Missing data 12.8 4.2 3 2.1 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 2,045 2,599 2,793 2,779 3.4 Exits to Emancipation (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children age 12 or younger at entry 14.5 17.8 12.7 11.1 Children older than 12 at entry 84.9 82.2 87.3 88.9 Missing data 0.6 -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 496 596 581 488

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 -- 4.8 22.2 -- N/A N/A N/A 7.5 7.8 13.9 20 N/A -- -- -- Guardianship 11.1 -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- N/A N/A N/A 1.3 0.1 -- 0.5 N/A -- -- -- Reunification 77.8 72.7 87.5 90.9 N/A 75 66.7 55.6 28.6 N/A N/A N/A 15.7 17.6 15.8 11.1 N/A -- 100 -- Other 11.1 18.2 -- 9.1 N/A 18.8 28.6 16.7 -- N/A N/A N/A 9.6 4.4 2 1 N/A -- -- -- Missing data -- 9.1 12.5 -- N/A 6.2 -- 5.6 N/A 100 -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 N/A 100 100 100 100 N/A N/A N/A 100 100 100 100 N/A 100 100 -- Number 9 11 8 11 N/A 16 21 18 14 N/A N/A N/A 1,041 1,378 1,571 1,623 N/A 1 2 --     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 11.9 10.4 15.4 14.8 7.9 8.2 11.7 14.7 4.2 -- 13.6 4.4 N/A 21.4 22.4 35.2 -- -- -- -- Guardianship -- -- -- 1.2 0.4 0.2 0.2 0.1 -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Reunification 61.9 69.8 69.9 77.8 63.1 73 72.5 72.4 83.3 85 72.7 86.7 N/A 71.4 69.4 52.3 -- 100 -- -- Other 14.3 11.5 12.6 4.3 15.8 15.6 13.5 11.5 4.2 -- 9.1 6.7 N/A 7.1 7.1 11.4 -- -- -- -- Missing data 11.9 8.3 2.1 1.9 12.7 2.9 2 1.3 8.3 15 4.5 2.2 N/A -- 1.2 1.1 100 -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 N/A 100 100 100 100 100 -- -- Number 42 96 143 162 2,350 2,833 3,237 3,496 24 20 22 45 N/A 14 85 88 1 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. 59 61.3 62.5 65 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 24.8 23.4 23.4 22.7 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 8.2 6.9 7.7 6.5 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 3.3 3.5 3.1 2.4 48 or more mos. 4.3 4 3 3.1 Missing data 0.5 0.9 0.3 0.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 2,233 3,150 3,617 3,857 4.2 Children Who Entered Foster Care (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children entering care for the first time 84.2 83.1 81.9 81.2 Children re-entering care within 12 mos. of a prior episode 9.3 10.1 11 11.1 Children re-entering care more than 12 mos. after a prior episode 6.2 6.8 7 7.7 Missing data 0.4 -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 5,968 5,480 5,667 6,047

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 3.1 1.7 2.4 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 13.3 7.4 12.1 9.3 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 17.4 17.3 13.7 16.4 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 13.3 19.5 16.3 16.8 48 or more mos. 52.6 52.4 56.1 55.1 Missing data 0.4 0.3 0.2 -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 270 353 644 899

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 72.9 25.2 1.9 100 6,734 2000 61.1 32.4 6.5 100 6,334 2001 61 36.8 2.2 100 6,726 2002 64.9 32.5 2.6 100 7,110 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 1999 52.2 47.3 0.5 100 2,876 2000 47.4 49.6 3 100 2,950 2001 40.4 58.8 0.8 100 2,981 2002 35.3 64.2 0.5 100 2,990 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 1999 51 48.8 0.2 100 1,448 2000 53.5 44 2.5 100 1,635 2001 43.4 55.8 0.8 100 1,606 2002 34.6 65 0.4 100 1,480 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 1999 48.5 51.2 0.3 100 934 2000 54.4 43.5 2 100 981 2001 50.7 49.2 0 100 1,050 2002 37 62.2 0.8 100 952 48 or more mos. 1999 50 49.6 0.4 100 2,245 2000 56.2 41 2.8 100 2,556 2001 52.1 47.4 0.5 100 2,383 2002 44.5 54.9 0.6 100 2,228 Missing data 1999 81.5 14.8 3.7 100 27 2000 34.5 -- 65.5 100 58 2001 50 4.5 45.5 100 22 2002 57.1 2.4 40.5 100 42

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 8.3 5.9 4.6 2.3 Institutions 6.8 7.6 4.2 2.2 Other settings 84.5 86.4 91.2 95.5 Missing data 0.4 -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 2,264 1,987 2,296 2,526

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Tennessee [ Federal Comment ]

The following discussion focuses on Tennessee’s performance with regard to each of the outcomes assessed in the Child Welfare Outcomes Annual Reports to Congress. The Tennessee 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 Tennessee’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
Tennessee’s performance on outcome 1 cannot be assessed as part of the Federal Comment section because the State does not provide data to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) for calculating this outcome. To ensure data consistency across States, only data submitted through NCANDS are presented for this outcome in the Report to Congress. However, the State provided year 2000 data for this outcome for the CFSR using an alternative source. For that year, the State reported that 2.8 percent of the children who were the subject of a substantiated or indicated maltreatment report during the first 6 months of the calendar year experienced another substantiated or indicated maltreatment within 6 months of the first report. This meets the national standard of 6.1 percent or less.

Outcome 2. Reduce the incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care
Tennessee’s performance on outcome 2 cannot be evaluated as part of the Federal Comment section because the State does not provide data to NCANDS for calculating this outcome. In order to ensure data consistency across States, only data submitted through the NCANDS system are presented for this outcome in the Report to Congress. However, the State provided year 2000 data for this outcome for its CFSR using an alternative source. For that year, the State reported that 0.60 percent of children who were in foster care during the first 9 months of the calendar year were victims of maltreatment by a foster parent or facility staff member. This does not meet the national standard of 0.57 percent or less.

Outcome 3. Increase permanency for children in foster care
In FY 2002, 87.6 percent of children exiting foster care in Tennessee were discharged to a permanent home (which is more than the national median of 86.1 percent); 88.2 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 79.3 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, 11.1 percent of the children emancipated from foster care were age 12 or younger when they entered foster care, which is less than the national median of 26.9 percent. Tennessee’s performance on all of the measures for outcome 3 exhibited improvement from FY 1999 to FY 2002. These findings suggest that the State is generally successful in achieving permanency for children exiting foster care.

Outcome 4. Reduce time to reunification without increasing re-entry
In FY 2002, the percentage of all reunifications in Tennessee occurring within 12 months of a child’s entry into foster care was 65.0, which is less than the national standard (76.2 percent or more) and the national median (68.0 percent). However, performance with regard to reunifications within 12 months improved from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (+10.2 percent change).

Also in FY 2002, the percentage of entries into foster care that were re-entries within 12 months of a prior foster care episode was 11.1, which is more than the national standard (8.6 percent or less) and the national median (9.9 percent). Performance on this measure declined from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (+20.1 percent change). A cross-State analyses of this measure found a substantial positive relationship between State variation in performance on this measure in FY 2002 and State variation in the percentage of children age 16 and older who entered foster care in FY 2002. Tennessee had both a relatively high rate (above the national median) of foster care re-entry (11.1 percent) and a relatively high percentage (in the top quartile) of children age 16 and older entering foster care (28.4 percent).

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 11.8, which is less than 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. Tennessee’s performance on this measure improved from FY 2000 to FY 2002 (+12.5 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 64.9, which is less than the national standard (86.7 percent or more) and the national median (84.1 percent). Tennessee’s performance on this measure declined from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (-10.9 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 4.5, which is less than the national median of 8.6 percent. Tennessee’s performance on this measure improved considerably from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (-70.1 percent change).

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