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

Utah

Context Data | Outcomes Data | State Comment | Federal Comment

Utah [ Context Data ]

A. Key Context Statistics

General Population (Census Bureau) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Total children under 18 years 707,366 710,997 716,243 713,012 Race/ethnicity (%)1, 2         Alaska Native/American Indian 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.5 Asian N/A 2.1 1.7 1.7 Asian/Pacific Islander 2.7 N/A N/A N/A Black 0.7 0.8 0.9 0.9 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A N/A 0.9 0.9 Hispanic 8.7 10.9 11.2 11.6 White 86.4 82.4 81.7 81.3 Two or more races N/A 2.3 2.2 2.2 Other N/A 0.1 0 0 % Child population in poverty 7 11.5 12.5 13.2 Child Welfare Summary 1999 2000 2002 2002 Child maltreatment victims3 8,660 8,729 10,200 10,282 Children in foster care on 9/30 2,273 1,805 1,957 2,025 Children adopted 369 303 349 346

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 26,847 25,102 28,485 29,836 38.0 per 1,000 35.3 per 1,000 39.8 per 1,000 41.8 per 1,000 Child maltreatment victims 8,660 8,729 10,200 10,282 12.2 per 1,000 12.3 per 1,000 14.2 per 1,000 14.4 per 1,000 Child fatalities 7 12 11 12 1.0 per 100,000 1.7 per 100,000 1.5 per 100,000 1.7 per 100,000

Age of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 4.1 7.9 7.2 7.8 1-5 years 30.8 31.7 30 32.3 6-10 years 30 29.7 28.8 26.9 11-15 years 25.5 24.5 27.3 26.6 16+ years 9.6 6 6.7 6.2 Unknown / Missing data 0 0.2 -- 0.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 8,660 8,729 10,200 10,282 Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 2 1.2 1.7 2.4 Asian/Pacific Islander 1.2 1 1.4 2.4 Black 1.9 1.6 2 3.4 Hispanic 12.9 13.1 13.9 19.8 White 49.7 38.7 43.9 68.1 Two or more races 45.3 -- -- -- Total %4 112.9 100 100 100 Number 8,660 8,729 10,200 10,282 Maltreatment Type of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Emotional Abuse 41.4 40.8 31.7 40.9 Medical Neglect 1.2 1 0.8 1 Neglect 28.8 29.3 25.9 21.3 Physical Abuse 16.6 15.8 14.3 16.1 Sexual Abuse 21.8 19.6 22.7 21.7 Unknown / Missing data 0 0 14.6 0.1 Other 10.1 9.5 7.2 14.5 Total %5 119.9 116 117.2 115.6 Number 8,660 8,729 10,200 10,282

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

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

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

Number of Children In Care on 10/1 Entered Care Exited Care In Care on 9/30 Total Served FY1999 (10/1/98 - 9/30/99) 2,222 2,383 2,332 2,273 4,605 FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) 1,921 2,148 2,264 1,805 4,069 FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) 1,960 2,006 2,009 1,957 3,966 FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) 1,966 2,177 2,118 2,025 4,143 Median Length of Stay (Months)   FY1999 (10/1/98 - 9/30/99) 12.7 N/A 5.5 11.2 N/A FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) 12 N/A 5.8 10.4 N/A FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) 12.6 N/A 6.8 10.9 N/A FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) 11.5 N/A 6.1 10.4 N/A Age of Children in Foster Care (%) In Care On: 10/1/98 In Care On: 10/1/99 In Care On: 10/1/00 In Care On: 10/1/01 Entered Care During FY: 1999 Entered Care During FY: 2000 Entered Care During FY: 2001 Entered Care During FY: 2002 Exited Care During FY: 1999 Exited Care During FY: 2000 Exited Care During FY:2001 Exited Care During FY: 2002 In Care On: 9/30/99 In Care On: 9/30/00 In Care On: 9/30/01 In Care On: 9/30/02 Under 1 Year 3.6 4.4 4.7 3.9 12.8 12.8 11.6 12.8 7.9 8.1 7.5 8.1 4.8 5.1 4.3 5.1 1-5 years 19.1 16.6 20.6 18.6 26.6 32.8 26.5 27.7 29 30.3 29.9 30.4 17.9 20 18.3 16.8 6-10 years 22.6 19.6 19.9 18.4 22.7 23.1 22.4 20.4 23.3 21.4 22.4 21.2 19.6 20.5 18.4 16.5 11-15 years 34.1 36.6 33.8 38 29.2 23.1 29.7 27.8 23.3 21 21.8 22.1 35.9 35.2 38.5 36.3 16-18 years 20.1 22.2 20.1 20.2 8.6 8.1 9.7 11.3 15.4 17.8 17.1 17.2 21.2 18.6 19.5 24.4 19+ years 0.5 0.5 0.9 0.9 -- -- -- -- 0.9 1.3 1.2 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.9 0.7 Unknown / Missing data -- -- 0.1 -- -- 0.1 0.1 -- 0 0.1 0 0.1 -- -- -- 0 Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Number 2,222 1,921 1,960 1,966 2,383 2,148 2,006 2,177 2,332 2,264 2,009 2,118 2,273 1,805 1,957 2,025 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 4.2 5.2 5.2 5.1 5.1 2.8 3.1 4 3.1 2.4 3.8 3.8 6.3 5.9 4.5 5.2 Asian N/A 0.5 1.1 0.9 N/A 0.6 0.3 0.4 N/A 0.5 0.6 0.5 N/A 0.6 0.9 0.8 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.7 N/A N/A N/A 0.8 N/A N/A N/A 0.8 N/A N/A N/A 0.7 N/A N/A N/A Black 3.6 3 5.5 4.5 4.8 1.9 2.9 4.4 4.3 1.1 4.5 3.4 4.1 4.2 3.8 5.5 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A 0.2 0.7 0.9 N/A 0.4 1.1 1.1 N/A 0.2 0.9 1.1 N/A 0.4 0.8 0.9 Hispanic 14.2 13.8 19.2 18.6 16.2 18.6 20.8 20.4 15.5 16.1 21.9 18.9 15 16.6 18.1 20.2 White 72.7 49.3 59.2 56.7 62.6 33.3 42.7 58.7 67.5 29.5 47.3 55.6 67.5 55.1 54.5 60 Two or more races N/A -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- Unknown / Missing data 4.5 28 9.1 13.3 10.4 42.4 29 11 8.8 50.3 21 16.7 6.3 17.2 17.4 7.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Number 2,222 1,921 1,960 1,966 2,383 2,148 2,006 2,177 2,332 2,264 2,009 2,118 2,273 1,805 1,957 2,025

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 325 371 336 456 Children whose parents' rights have been terminated (TPR) 245 310 254 207 Age of Waiting Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 4.3 9.4 6 7.2 1-5 years 27.4 29.4 29.8 30.3 6-10 years 32 32.1 32.1 30.3 11-15 years 30.5 25.9 28.3 28.7 16+ years 4.6 3.2 3 3.1 Unknown / Missing data 1.2 -- 0.9 0.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 325 371 336 456 Race/Ethnicity of Waiting Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 1.5 4.9 1.2 0.9 Asian N/A 0.8 1.2 1.5 Asian/Pacific Islander 1.5 N/A N/A N/A Black 4.9 4.3 5.4 5 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- 0.3 0.4 Hispanic 19.4 22.6 24.7 26.1 White 67.1 57.7 60.7 58.3 Two or more races N/A -- -- -- Unknown / Missing data 5.5 9.7 6.5 7.7 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 325 371 336 456

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 7.6 7.6 8.6 9 1-5 years 43.1 50.8 53.6 52 6-10 years 36.9 29.7 26.9 27.7 11-15 years 12.2 10.6 9.7 9.8 16+ years 0.3 1.3 1.1 1.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 369 303 349 346 Race/Ethnicity of Adopted Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 0.5 1.7 2.9 2 Asian N/A 1 1.4 0.3 Asian/Pacific Islander -- N/A N/A N/A Black 2.4 3.3 5.7 4.6 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A 0.3 1.1 -- Hispanic 20.3 18.5 28.4 25.7 White 33.9 54.5 51.9 54 Two or more races N/A -- -- -- Unknown / Missing data 42.8 20.8 8.6 13.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 369 303 349 346

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Utah [ 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 91.6 92.9 92.9 92.3 Children with one or more recurrences 8.4 7.1 7.1 7.7 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 4,062 4,241 4,965 5,042

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 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.1 Children not maltreated while in foster care 99.5 99.5 99.4 99.9 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 4,069 3,535 3,440 3,682

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 15.7 13.4 17.4 16.4 Guardianship 27.7 9.5 1.3 1.7 Reunification 47.6 63.7 70.3 70.5 Other 8.6 11.3 10.8 10.9 Missing data 0.4 2.1 0.2 0.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 2,332 2,264 2,009 2,118 Percent Exits from Foster Care 1999 2000 2001 2002   3.2 Exits of Disabled Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 21.1 23.2 26 22 Guardianship 18.9 8.3 1.2 1.4 Reunification 44.5 53.2 59.4 60.2 Other 15.5 14 12.8 16.1 Missing data -- 1.3 0.6 0.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 375 457 335 354 3.3 Exits of Children Over Age 12 at Entry (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 0.3 0.8 0.6 1.4 Guardianship 15.3 6.5 1.5 1.9 Reunification 57.1 57.4 65.5 62.7 Other 26.6 33.7 32.1 34.1 Missing data 0.7 1.6 0.4 -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 608 618 545 592 3.4 Exits to Emancipation (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children age 12 or younger at entry 14 10.5 13.5 8.8 Children older than 12 at entry 86 89.5 86.5 91.2 Missing data -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 121 172 163 170

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 4.1 9.3 13.2 8.6 N/A 25 41.7 10 -- N/A N/A N/A 12 25 22 22.5 N/A 25 21.1 -- Guardianship 38.4 7.4 1.3 8.6 N/A -- -- -- 27.8 N/A N/A N/A 31 -- 1.1 -- N/A 50 -- -- Reunification 49.3 66.7 63.2 63 N/A 41.7 33.3 50 5.6 N/A N/A N/A 5 16.7 15.4 15.5 N/A 25 63.2 78.3 Other 6.8 16.7 22.4 19.8 N/A 33.3 25 40 -- N/A N/A N/A 1 -- -- -- N/A -- 15.8 21.7 Missing data 1.4 -- -- -- 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 100 100 100 Number 73 54 76 81 N/A 12 12 10 18 N/A N/A N/A 100 24 91 71 N/A 4 19 23     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 20.5 15.1 22.5 22.2 16.3 21 19.1 16 9.7 8.3 7.1 13.3 N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Guardianship 29.1 7.4 -- 0.2 26 3.3 1.6 1.7 33 14.1 2.4 2.5 N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Reunification 46.3 68.2 72 69.6 46.8 52.8 64.6 69.7 51.5 69 85.7 77.7 N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Other 3.9 7.9 5 8 10.4 22 14.6 12 5.3 5.4 4.3 6.2 N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Missing data 0.3 1.4 0.5 -- 0.4 0.9 0.1 0.7 0.5 3.2 0.5 0.3 N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 N/A -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Number 361 365 440 401 1,574 667 950 1,178 206 1,138 421 354 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. 73.9 82.9 81.7 83.3 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 16.9 11.6 12.4 11.6 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 4.7 2.4 2.7 2.9 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 1.2 1.8 1.4 0.7 48 or more mos. 1.5 0.8 1.3 1.3 Missing data 1.9 0.5 0.4 0.2 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 1,109 1,442 1,412 1,493 4.2 Children Who Entered Foster Care (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children entering care for the first time 75.9 73.9 75.1 76.6 Children re-entering care within 12 mos. of a prior episode 14.3 13 15.2 14.5 Children re-entering care more than 12 mos. after a prior episode 7.8 6.7 8.1 8.4 Missing data 2.1 6.4 1.5 0.5 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 2,383 2,148 2,006 2,177

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. 15.6 27.3 25.5 33.9 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 42.3 39.1 45.3 44 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 25.4 23.7 20.1 13.5 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 9.3 5.9 5.7 3.7 48 or more mos. 7.4 3.9 3.4 4.9 Missing data -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 366 304 349 348

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 58.9 41.1 -- 100 2,674 2000 74 26 -- 100 2,575 2001 80.1 19.9 -- 100 2,345 2002 74.9 25 0.1 100 2,575 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 1999 24.7 75.3 -- 100 904 2000 31.3 68.7 -- 100 684 2001 42.2 57.8 -- 100 772 2002 39.4 60.5 0.1 100 749 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 1999 28.9 71.1 -- 100 494 2000 16.5 83.5 -- 100 327 2001 16.6 83.4 -- 100 343 2002 23.7 76.3 -- 100 312 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 1999 28.6 71.4 -- 100 199 2000 14.6 85.4 -- 100 219 2001 15.1 84.9 -- 100 179 2002 8 92 -- 100 175 48 or more mos. 1999 33.2 66.8 -- 100 280 2000 16 84 -- 100 256 2001 15 85 -- 100 321 2002 11.1 88.9 -- 100 324 Missing data 1999 90.7 9.3 -- 100 54 2000 100 -- -- 100 8 2001 83.3 16.7 -- 100 6 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 25 1.2 1.1 1.3 Institutions 0.4 1.9 3.7 4.2 Other settings 74.4 97 95.1 94.4 Missing data 0.1 -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 1,600 1,295 1,307 1,417

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Utah [ State Comment ]

Richard Anderson, Director
Division of Child and Family Services
Utah Department of Human Services
801-538-4100

The following are Utah’s comments on the State data presented in Child Welfare Outcomes 2002: Report to Congress:

• There has been an increase in the number of child maltreatment victims from 1998 to 2002: In 1997-1998 the Utah legislature passed legislation that made the witnessing or knowledge of domestic violence both a misdemeanor crime and child abuse. Since the passing of that legislation, Child and Family Services has received continual increases each year in the number of domestic violence-related referrals for investigation. Additionally we have seen an increase in the number of child endangerment referrals. Part of the increases may also be due to the recession that increased poverty and unemployment levels as studies have shown correlations between poverty and child abuse and neglect. Child and Family Services also received a lot of media attention due to a particular case during the past year, and that attention may have influenced the public to call in referrals about children they were concerned about.
  
  
• Regarding Section B, Maltreatment Type, in October 1997, Utah started tracking domestic violence related abuse as an allegation subcategory of emotional abuse. In 1998, it became one of the most substantiated allegations investigated resulting in a high percentage of child victims being reported to NCANDS as victims of emotional abuse.
  
  
• With regard to outcome measure 4.2, re-entry into foster care, although Utah has a re-entry rate that is above the national standard, there has been a decrease in this measure, and more recent data from our system shows that the decline is ongoing without seeing an increase in time to exit.
  
  
• With regard to outcome measure 5.1, time to adoption, in 1997 Utah Child and Family Services worked with our juvenile court system on a permanency project to aid in shortening the time to adoption by instituting 12 month time frame limitations and use of legal risk placements. The high percentage of children discharged to finalized adoption within 24 months is a result of the efforts made several years ago in this area.
  

Utah completes an annual report available at http://www.hsdcfs.state.ut.us/pdf/Annual03.pdf

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Utah [ Federal Comment ]

The following discussion focuses on Utah’s performance with regard to each of the outcomes assessed in the Child Welfare Outcomes Annual Reports to Congress. The Utah Child and Family Services Review (CFSR) was completed in fiscal year (FY) 2003, and compliance with the national standards was based on data from 2001. The final report for that review is available from the Child Welfare Monitoring Documents Library. A discussion of the implications of CFSR findings for Utah’s performance on the Report to Congress Outcomes is provided in Child Welfare Outcomes 2001.

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, Utah’s rate of maltreatment recurrence within 6 months was 7.7 percent, which is more than the national standard (6.1 percent or less), but is about equal to the national median (7.5 percent). Performance on this measure improved from 1999 to 2002 (-8.3 percent change).

Outcome 2. Reduce the incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care
In CY 2002, Utah’s incidence of maltreatment in foster care was 0.08 percent, which is less than both the national standard (0.57 percent or less) and the national median (0.39 percent). Performance on this measure improved considerably from 1999 to 2002 (- 84.5 percent change).

Outcome 3. Increase permanency for children in foster care
In FY 2002, 88.7 percent of children exiting foster care in Utah were discharged to a permanent home (which is more than the national median of 86.1 percent); 83.6 percent of children with a diagnosed disability who exited foster care were discharged to a permanent homes (which is more than the national median of 79.8 percent); and only 8.8 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). However, 65.9 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 less than the national median of 72.0 percent). Utah’s performance with regard to exits to permanency for all children and for children with a diagnosed disability did not change from FY 1999 to FY 2002. However, performance with regard to exits to permanency for children who were age 13 or older when they entered foster care declined from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (-9.4 percent change). In contrast, Utah’s performance with regard to the percentage of children emancipated from foster care who were age 12 or younger when they entered foster care improved considerably from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (-37.2 percent change).

Outcome 4. Reduce time to reunification without increasing re-entry
In FY 2002, the percentage of all reunifications in Utah occurring within 12 months of a child’s entry into foster care was 83.3, which is more than the national standard (76.2 percent or more) and the national median (68.0 percent). Performance with regard to reunifications within 12 months improved from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (+12.8 percent change).

Because the cross-State analyses found a substantial positive relationship between State variation in performance on this measure and State variation in the percentage of children entering foster care who were re-entering within 12 months of a prior episode, Utah’s performance with regard to reunifications within 12 months must be considered in the context of its re-entry rate. For Utah, the percentage of children entering foster care in FY 2002 who were re-entering within 12 months of a prior foster care episode was 14.5 percent, which is in the top quartile of the State rankings. Therefore, while Utah had a relatively high percentage of reunifications within 12 months, it also exhibited a high rate of re-entry into foster care within 12 months. State performance of the measure of foster care re-entry exhibited no change from FY 1999 to FY 2002.

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 77.9, which is the highest percentage in the Nation. 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. Utah’s performance on this measure improved from FY 2000 to FY 2002 (+17.2 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 74.9, which is less than the national standard (86.7 percent or more) and than national median (84.1 percent). Utah’s performance on this measure improved from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (+27.2 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 5.6, which is less than the national median of 8.6 percent. Utah’s performance on this measure improved considerably from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (-78.1 percent change).

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