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Home > Statistics & Research > Child Welfare Outcomes 2002 > Chapter Six > West Virginia

West Virginia

Context Data | Outcomes Data | Federal Comment

West Virginia [ Context Data ]

A. Key Context Statistics

General Population (Census Bureau) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Total children under 18 years 403,481 399,140 393,721 389,171 Race/ethnicity (%)1, 2         Alaska Native/American Indian 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 Asian N/A 0.5 0.6 0.6 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.5 N/A N/A N/A Black 3.5 3.6 4 4 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A N/A 0 0 Hispanic 0.7 1 0.9 0.9 White 95.1 93 92.9 92.9 Two or more races N/A 1.5 1.4 1.5 Other N/A 0.2 0 0 % Child population in poverty 23 18 22.2 24.7 Child Welfare Summary 1999 2000 2002 2002 Child maltreatment victims3 8,609 8,244 7,907 6,635 Children in foster care on 9/30 3,169 3,388 3,298 3,220 Children adopted 312 352 362 361

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 36,142 27,145 26,812 24,089 89.6 per 1,000 68.0 per 1,000 68.1 per 1,000 61.9 per 1,000 Child maltreatment victims 8,609 8,244 7,907 6,635 21.3 per 1,000 20.6 per 1,000 20.1 per 1,000 17.0 per 1,000 Child fatalities 1 4 1 13 0.2 per 100,000 1.0 per 100,000 0.2 per 100,000 3.3 per 100,000

Age of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 3.2 6.2 6.8 6.9 1-5 years 25.2 27.9 29.1 29.8 6-10 years 28.2 26.6 27.4 27.1 11-15 years 23.2 23.8 23 24.3 16+ years 7.8 5.5 5.6 5.7 Unknown / Missing data 12.3 9.9 8.1 6.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 8,609 8,244 7,907 6,635 Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian 0.1 -- 0 -- Asian/Pacific Islander 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.2 Black 5.1 4.2 3.3 3.4 Hispanic 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.8 White 84 83.8 84.2 83.5 Two or more races 0 2.7 2.4 3.6 Total %4 100.6 100 100 100 Number 8,609 8,244 7,907 6,635 Maltreatment Type of Child Victims (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Emotional Abuse 9.9 10.4 11.6 19.2 Medical Neglect 1.4 1.2 0.9 1.3 Neglect 43.8 47.5 47.1 54.9 Physical Abuse 25.1 29.1 28.6 30.7 Sexual Abuse 8.6 7.7 7 7.7 Unknown / Missing data 0 -- -- -- Other 18.7 18.7 23.5 6.4 Total %5 107.7 114.6 118.7 120.2 Number 8,609 8,244 7,907 6,635

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) 2,989 2,151 1,973 3,169 5,140 FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) 3,252 2,392 2,256 3,388 5,644 FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) 3,404 2,234 2,340 3,298 5,638 FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) 3,364 2,358 2,502 3,220 5,722 Median Length of Stay (Months)   FY1999 (10/1/98 - 9/30/99) 17.8 N/A 9.1 16.3 N/A FY2000 (10/1/99 - 9/30/00) 17.8 N/A 8.7 15.1 N/A FY2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01) 15.7 N/A 10.5 16.2 N/A FY2002 (10/1/01 - 9/30/02) 16.6 N/A 10.2 15.1 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 2.6 2.3 2.8 2.5 7.8 8.4 8.7 8.2 2.7 2.8 3 2.7 2.8 3.3 3.2 3.2 1-5 years 16.9 15.7 16.2 16 17.4 17.8 17.2 17.9 17.5 14.5 16.8 16.9 16.4 17.4 16.5 16.7 6-10 years 20.6 19.8 18.4 16.3 16.5 15.4 14 14.6 15.4 15.7 15 14.2 20.5 18.9 17.2 16 11-15 years 32.6 34.2 34.7 37.5 37.8 37.3 38.5 39.2 26.3 27.4 25.4 28.5 33.5 34.1 36 35.9 16-18 years 25.5 26 25.9 25.4 20.3 21.1 21.2 19.6 35 36.8 37.1 34.2 24.7 24.4 24.8 26.4 19+ years 1.8 1.9 1.9 2.3 0.1 -- 0.3 0.4 2.9 2.5 2.4 3.3 2 1.9 2.3 1.8 Unknown / Missing data 0.1 0.1 -- 0.1 0 0 0.1 0 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 -- 0.1 -- Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Number 2,989 3,252 3,404 3,364 2,151 2,392 2,234 2,358 1,973 2,256 2,340 2,502 3,169 3,388 3,298 3,220 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 0 0 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 0 -- 0 0 -- Asian N/A 0 0 0 N/A 0 0.2 0 N/A 0 0.2 0.1 N/A 0 0 0 Asian/Pacific Islander 0.1 N/A N/A N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A 0.2 N/A N/A N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A Black 12.5 9.1 8.2 7.9 8 6.8 7.1 6.2 9.5 8.2 7.6 7.3 11.4 8.1 7.9 7.1 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- 0 0 N/A 0 0 0.2 N/A -- 0 0.1 N/A 0 0 0 Hispanic 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.2 0.6 1.3 1 1.5 0.8 1.2 1.3 1.6 0.9 1.2 1.1 1.1 White 85.3 84.2 84.5 83.9 86.1 81.9 83.2 82.4 86.9 83.2 84.4 82.7 84.9 83.3 83.7 83.8 Two or more races N/A 3.9 4.1 4.3 N/A 3 2.6 4 N/A 3 3 4 N/A 3.8 3.9 4.4 Unknown / Missing data 0.9 1.7 1.8 2.6 5 6.8 5.9 5.6 2.7 4.3 3.4 4.2 2.5 3.5 3.4 3.5 Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Number 2,989 3,252 3,404 3,364 2,151 2,392 2,234 2,358 1,973 2,256 2,340 2,502 3,169 3,388 3,298 3,220

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 779 766 731 1,021 Children whose parents' rights have been terminated (TPR) 12 23 87 824 Age of Waiting Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Under 1 Year 3.6 3.9 4.1 3.9 1-5 years 30.8 28.7 28.5 24.2 6-10 years 40.9 38.8 32 24.8 11-15 years 22.5 24.5 29.1 32.7 16+ years 1.8 3.8 5.1 10.4 Unknown / Missing data 0.4 0.3 1.2 4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 779 766 731 1,021 Race/Ethnicity of Waiting Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian -- -- 0.1 -- Asian N/A 0.1 -- -- Asian/Pacific Islander 0.1 N/A N/A N/A Black 15.7 10.3 7.9 7.6 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- -- -- Hispanic 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.4 White 81.9 81.2 82.6 84 Two or more races N/A 5.9 6.6 5.7 Unknown / Missing data 1 1.2 1.5 1.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 779 766 731 1,021

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 0.6 0.8 0.6 1-5 years 42.9 32.7 40.1 42.7 6-10 years 39.7 44.9 37.3 34.1 11-15 years 14.4 20.2 18 20.2 16+ years 1.9 1.7 3.9 2.5 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 312 352 362 361 Race/Ethnicity of Adopted Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Alaska Native/American Indian -- -- -- -- Asian N/A -- 0.3 -- Asian/Pacific Islander -- N/A N/A N/A Black 9.3 15.1 7.2 6.1 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander N/A -- -- -- Hispanic 0.6 2.8 0.6 0.6 White 86.9 76.4 84.3 84.8 Two or more races N/A 5.4 7.7 8.3 Unknown / Missing data 3.2 0.3 -- 0.3 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 312 352 362 361

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West Virginia [ 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 94.4 93.3 94.3 92.1 Children with one or more recurrences 5.6 6.7 5.7 7.9 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 2,500 4,343 4,020 3,294

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 0.6 Children not maltreated while in foster care -- 100 100 99.4 Total % -- 100 100 100 Number -- 5,208 5,182 5,203

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 12.6 12.3 14.4 10.4 Guardianship 0.1 0.1 0.6 0.6 Reunification 40.9 39.9 37.9 20.7 Other 9.9 9.7 8.8 8.1 Missing data 36.6 38 38.2 60.2 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 1,973 2,256 2,340 2,502 Percent Exits from Foster Care 1999 2000 2001 2002   3.2 Exits of Disabled Children (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 9.7 -- -- -- Guardianship -- -- -- -- Reunification 29.9 -- -- -- Other 16.9 -- -- -- Missing data 43.5 -- -- -- Total % 100 -- -- -- Number 154       3.3 Exits of Children Over Age 12 at Entry (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Adoption 0.1 0.1 0.5 0.8 Guardianship 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.4 Reunification 38.4 39.4 38.4 20.8 Other 15.4 14.7 13.7 12.6 Missing data 46.1 45.7 47 65.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 983 1,180 1,185 1,295 3.4 Exits to Emancipation (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children age 12 or younger at entry 29.1 34.5 29.6 19.2 Children older than 12 at entry 70.9 65.5 70.4 80.8 Missing data -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 79 87 81 99

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 -- 25 -- -- N/A N/A N/A 12.3 26.5 14.5 6.6 N/A -- -- -- Guardianship -- -- -- -- N/A -- -- -- -- N/A N/A N/A 0.5 0.5 1.7 0.5 N/A -- -- -- Reunification -- -- -- -- N/A 100 50 33.3 -- N/A N/A N/A 14.4 8.1 7.3 9.3 N/A -- -- 33.3 Other -- -- -- -- N/A -- 25 -- 100 N/A N/A N/A 32.6 34.1 33 62.8 N/A -- -- -- Missing data -- -- -- 100 N/A -- -- 66.7 N/A -- 100 66.7 Total % -- -- -- 100 N/A 100 100 100 100 N/A N/A N/A 100 100 100 100 N/A -- 100 100 Number -- -- -- 1 N/A 1 4 3 3 N/A N/A N/A 187 185 179 183 N/A -- 1 3     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 13.3 11.1 20 5 13 11.1 14.2 10.8 -- 1 -- 1 N/A 22.1 33.8 21.2 -- -- -- -- Guardianship -- -- 3.3 -- -- 0.1 0.5 0.7 -- -- -- -- N/A -- 2.8 -- -- -- -- -- Reunification 53.3 48.1 53.3 22.5 40.3 40.3 37.1 20.5 64.7 46.9 51.2 25.7 N/A 41.2 26.8 18.2 62.2 -- -- -- Other 13.3 -- 6.7 7.5 9.6 10.2 9 8.3 5.9 6.1 8.8 6.7 N/A 8.8 5.6 4 2.7 -- -- -- Missing data 20 40.7 16.7 65 37.2 38.4 39.3 59.7 29.4 45.9 40 66.7 N/A 27.9 31 56.6 35.1 -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 N/A 100 100 100 100 -- -- -- Number 15 27 30 40 1,714 1,877 1,975 2,068 17 98 80 105 N/A 68 71 99 37 -- -- --

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. 77.3 79.5 72.2 74.3 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 16.1 14.7 20.8 16.2 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 4.2 3.9 4.1 5.8 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 1.1 0.9 1.4 2.9 48 or more mos. 1.2 1.1 1.6 0.8 Missing data -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 807 901 888 518 4.2 Children Who Entered Foster Care (%) 1999 2000 2001 2002 Children entering care for the first time 99.9 99.9 87.9 86.6 Children re-entering care within 12 mos. of a prior episode 0 0.1 9.1 8.4 Children re-entering care more than 12 mos. after a prior episode -- -- 2.5 3.5 Missing data 0 0 0.5 1.4 Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 2,151 2,392 2,234 2,358

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. 3.2 1.4 1.5 2.3 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 24.2 15.9 24.9 26.5 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 29 29.6 27.6 35.4 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 17.7 19.1 19 20 48 or more mos. 25.8 33.9 27 15.8 Missing data -- -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 248 277 337 260

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 99.8 0.2 -- 100 2,518 2000 99.9 0.1 -- 100 2,827 2001 83.6 16.4 -- 100 2,683 2002 82.3 17.7 -- 100 2,795 At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. 1999 99.6 0.4 -- 100 902 2000 99.6 0.4 -- 100 999 2001 51.5 48.5 -- 100 1,135 2002 53 47 -- 100 1,102 At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. 1999 99.6 0.4 -- 100 553 2000 99.3 0.7 -- 100 558 2001 33.2 66.8 -- 100 603 2002 37 63 -- 100 664 At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. 1999 100 -- -- 100 366 2000 99.7 0.3 -- 100 354 2001 35.1 64.9 -- 100 370 2002 31.5 68.5 -- 100 355 48 or more mos. 1999 99.9 0.1 -- 100 792 2000 99.4 0.6 -- 100 904 2001 49.8 50.2 -- 100 846 2002 42.5 57.5 -- 100 796 Missing data 1999 100 -- -- 100 9 2000 100 -- -- 100 2 2001 -- 100 -- 100 1 2002 100 -- -- 100 10

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 4.3 9.6 9.5 8.8 Institutions 3.1 1.1 0.9 1.3 Other settings 77.4 89.3 89.7 89.9 Missing data 15.2 -- -- -- Total % 100 100 100 100 Number 967 1,072 939 1,072

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West Virginia [ Federal Comment ]

The following discussion focuses on West Virginia’s performance with regard to each of the outcomes assessed in the Child Welfare Outcomes Annual Reports to Congress. The West Virginia 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 West Virginia’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, West Virginia’s rate of maltreatment recurrence within 6 months was 7.9 percent, which is more than both the national standard of 6.1 percent or less and the national median of 7.5 percent. Performance on this measure declined from 1999 to 2002 (+41.1 percent change).

Outcome 2. Reduce the incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care
In CY 2002, West Virginia’s incidence of maltreatment in foster care was 0.63 percent, which is more than the national standard of 0.57 percent or less and the national median of 0.39 percent. Change in performance on this measure cannot be assessed due to possible data quality issues in prior years.

Outcome 3. Increase permanency for children in foster care
West Virginia’s performance on the measures relevant to outcome 3 cannot be assessed because of a large percentage of missing data pertaining to “reason for discharge” information for all 4 years. For example, in FY 2002, 60.2 percent of the exits from foster care reported for outcome measure 3.1 do not have such information.

Outcome 4. Reduce time to reunification without increasing re-entry
West Virginia’s performance in FY 2002 with regard to the percentage of reunifications occurring within 12 months of a child’s entry into foster care cannot be assessed because 60.2 percent of the exits from foster care in that year do not have “reason for discharge” information.

West Virginia’s performance in FY 2002 with regard to the percent of re-entries into foster care within 12 months of a discharge from a prior foster care episode was 8.4 percent. This is less than both the national standard of 8.6 percent or less and the national median of 9.9 percent. Change in performance on this measure cannot be assessed due to data quality issues relevant to the measure in FY 1999 and FY 2000.

Outcome 5. Reduce time in foster care to adoption
West Virginia’s performance in FY 2002 with regard to the percentage of adoptions occurring within 12 months of a child’s entry into foster care cannot be assessed because 60.2 percent of the exits from foster care in that year do not have “reason for discharge” information. In addition, there is a substantial discrepancy between the number of children reported to the AFCARS Adoption Database as being adopted in FY 2002 (361 children) and the number of children reported to the AFCARS Foster Care Database as exits from foster care to a finalized adoption (260 children). Thus, 28 percent of the children adopted in FY 2002 are not accounted for in the assessment of outcome measure 5.1— time to adoption.

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 82.3, which is less than both the national standard of 86.7 percent or more and the national median of 84.1 percent. West Virginia’s performance on this measure declined from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (-17.5 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 10.1, which is more than the national median of 8.6 percent. West Virginia’s performance on this measure declined from FY 1999 to FY 2002 (+35.3 percent change).

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