Child Welfare Outcomes 2003: Annual Report to Congress - Appendix C: Child Welfare Outcomes: Data Sources and Elements

Appendix C: Child Welfare Outcomes: Data Sources and Elements

CONTEXT INFORMATION
Items	Data Sources and Elements
Section A. Key Context Statistics
Total Children Under 18 Years	U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census
Child Population in Poverty	U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census
Section B. Child Maltreatment Data (National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System)
Children Subject of an Investigated Report Alleging Child Maltreatment	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau, National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) For 2000 there were three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Elements 27, 29, 31, 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level; (2) NCANDS DCDC: Elements 21, 23, 25, 27, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (3) NCANDS SDC: Item 3.1, Children Subject of a CPS Investigation or Assessment by Disposition. For 2001-2003, there were two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Elements 27, 29, 31, 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Item 3.1, Children Subject of a CPS Investigation or Assessment by Disposition.
Child Maltreatment Victims	For 2000, there were three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Elements 27, 29, 31, 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level; (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Element 21, 23, 25, 27, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (3) NCANDS SDC, 2000: Sum of Item 3.1A, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Substantiated; 3.1B, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Indicated; and 3.1C, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Given an Alternative Response that Identified Child Victim(s). For 2001-2003, there were two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Elements 27, 29, 31, 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Sum of Item 3.1A, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Substantiated; 3.1B, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Indicated; and 3.1C, Children for Whom the Allegation of Maltreatment was Given an Alternative Response that Identified Child Victim(s).
Child Fatalities	For 2000, there were three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Element 34, Maltreatment Death; (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Element 28, Maltreatment Death; or (3) NCANDS SDC, 2000: Item 5.1, Child Victims who Died as a Result of Maltreatment. For 2001-2003, there were two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Element 34, Maltreatment Death; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Item 5.1, Child Victims who Died as a Result of Maltreatment.
Age of Child Victims	For 2000, there were three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Element 12, Child Age at Report, or a combination of Element 6, Report Date and Element 13, Child Date of Birth; (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Element 11, Child Age at Report, or a combination of Element 6, Report Date and Element 12, Child Date of Birth; or (3) NCANDS SDC, 2000: Item 4.2, Child Victims By Age. For 2001-2003, there were two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Element 12, Child Age at Report, or a combination of Element 6, Report Date and Element 13, Child Date of Birth; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Item 4.2, Child Victims By Age.
Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims	For 2000, there were three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Elements 15 through 20, Child Race, and Element 21, Child Ethnicity; (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Element 14, Child Race, and Element 15, Child Ethnicity; or (3) NCANDS SDC, 2000: Item 4.4, Child Victims by Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity, and Item 4.5, Child Victims by Race. For 2001-2003, there were two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Elements 15 through 20, Child Race, and Element 21, Child Ethnicity; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Item 4.4, Child Victims by Hispanic or Latino Ethnicity, and Item 4.5, Child Victims by Race.
Maltreatment Type of Child Victims	For 2000, there are three possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Elements 26 through 33, Maltreatment Type, Maltreatment Disposition Level; (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Elements 20 through 27, Maltreatment Type, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (3) NCANDS SDC, 2000: Item 4.1, Child Victims by Type of Maltreatment. For 2001 - 2003 there are two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File: Elements 26 through 33, Maltreatment Type, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (2) NCANDS SDC: Item 4.1, Child Victims by Type of Maltreatment.
Section C. Children in Foster Care (Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System)
Children (for each FY) • In Care On 10/1 • Entered Care • Exited Care • In Care On 9/30 • Total Served (FY)	U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ACF/ACYF, Children's Bureau, Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care.
Children's Median Length of Stay (for each FY) • In Care On 10/1 • Exited Care • In Care On 9/30	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care.
Age of Children (for each FY) • Entered Care • Exited Care • In Care On 9/30	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care.
Race/Ethnicity of Children (for each FY) In Care On 9/30	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 8, Race; and Element 9, Hispanic Origin
Section D. Children Waiting to be Adopted on 9/30 (AFCARS)
Children Waiting to be Adopted	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 35, Death of Parent; Element 43, Most Recent Case Plan Goal; Element 47, Date of Mother's Termination of Parental Rights; and Element 48, Date of Father's Termination of Parental Rights.
Children Whose Parents' Rights Have Been Terminated	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 35, Death of Parent; Element 47, Date of Mother's Termination of Parental Rights; and Element 48, Date of Father's Termination of Parental Rights.
Age of Waiting Children	AFCARS Foster Care file: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 35, Death of Parent; Element 43, Most Recent Case Plan Goal; Element 47, Date of Mother's Termination of Parental Rights; Element 48, Date of Father's Termination of Parental Rights.
Race/Ethnicity of Waiting Children	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 8, Race; and Element 9, Hispanic Origin; Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 35, Death of Parent; Element 43, Most Recent Case Plan Goal; Element 47, Date of Mother's Termination of Parental Rights; Element 48, Date of Father's Termination of Parental Rights.
Section E. Children Adopted (AFCARS)
Age of Children Adopted	AFCARS Adoption File: Element 4, State Involvement; and Element 5, Child's Date of Birth
Race/Ethnicity of Children Adopted	AFCARS Adoption File: Element 4, State Involvement; Element 7, Race; and Element 8, Hispanic Origin.

OUTCOME INFORMATION
Child Welfare Outcome Measures	Data Sources and Elements
Outcome 1. Reduce Recurrence of Child Abuse and/or Neglect (NCANDS)
1.1 Recurrence of Maltreatment	For 2000 there were two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File, 2000: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID; Element 6, Report Date; and Elements 27, 29, 31, and 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level; or (2) NCANDS DCDC, 2000: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID; Element 6, Report Date; and Elements 21, 23, 25, and 27, Maltreatment Disposition Level. For 2001 to 2003, the data source was: (1) NCANDS Child File: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID; Element 6, Report Date; and Elements 27, 29, 31, and 33, Maltreatment Disposition Level.
Outcome 2. Reduce the Incidence of Child Abuse and/or Neglect in Foster Care (NCANDS and AFCARS)
2.1 Maltreatment In Foster Care	AFCARS Annual Foster Care Database, Element 21, Date of Latest Removal, and Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care For 2000 there were two possible data sources: (1) NCANDS Child File 2000: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID; and Elements 89, 108, and 127, Perpetrator Relationship; or (2) NCANDS DCDC 2000: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID, Elements 80, 93, and 106, Perpetrator Relationship. For 2001 - 2003 the data source was: (1) NCANDS Child File: Element 3, Report ID; Element 4, Child ID; and Elements 89, 108, and 127, Perpetrator Relationship.
Outcome 3. Increase Permanency for Children in Foster Care (AFCARS)
3.1 Exits from Foster Care	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge
3.2 Exits of Disabled Children	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 10, Child Diagnosed with Disabilities; Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge
3.3 Exits of Children Age 12 or Older at entry	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge.
3.4 Exits to Emancipation	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge.
3.5 Exits by Race/Ethnicity	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 8, Race; Element 9, Hispanic Origin; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge.
Outcome 4. Reduce Time to Reunification Without Increasing Re-entry (AFCARS)
4.1 Time to Reunification	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge.
4.2 Re-entries of Children Who Entered Foster Care During Fiscal Year	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 19, Total Number of Removals; Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; and Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care.
Outcome 5. Reduce Time in Foster Care to Adoption (AFCARS)
5.1 Time to Adoption	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care; and Element 58, Reasons for Discharge.
Outcome 6. Increase Placement Stability (AFCARS)
6.1 Number of Placements by Time in Care	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 24, Number of Previous Settings in Episode; and Element 56, Date of Discharge from Foster Care.
Outcome 7. Reduce Placements of Young Children in Group Homes or Institutions (AFCARS)
7.1 Placement Settings of Children Age 12 or Younger Who Entered Care During FY	AFCARS Foster Care File: Element 6, Date of Birth; Element 21, Date of Latest Removal; Element 23, Placement Date in Current Setting; Element 41, Current Placement Setting.

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