Massachusetts
Context Data | Outcomes Data | State Comment | Federal Comment
Massachusetts [ Context Data ]
A. Context Statistics
| General Child Population (Census Bureau) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total children under 18 years | 1,497,490 | 1,473,885 | 1,482,956 | 1,487,118 |
| Race/Ethnicity (%)1 | ||||
| Alaska Native/American Indian | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Asian | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.3 |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | 6.5 | 7.3 | 6.9 | 7.0 |
| Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander | 0.0 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 |
| Hispanic (of any race) | 10.5 | 10.8 | 10.3 | 10.6 |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 75.2 | 75.4 | 76.6 | 76.1 |
| Two or more races | 2.7 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.9 |
| % Child population in poverty | 13.9 | 11.9 | 13.0 | 12.0 |
| Child Welfare Summary | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child maltreatment victims2 | 34,150 | 34,721 | 34,995 | 36,500 |
| Children in foster care on 9/30 | 11,619 | 11,568 | 12,510 | 12,608 |
| Children adopted | 861 | 778 | 808 | 733 |
B. Child Maltreatment Data [National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS)]
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview Maltreatment Information | Number | Rate | Number | Rate | Number | Rate | Number | Rate |
| Children subject of an investigated report alleging child maltreatment | 63,446 | 42.4 per 1,000 | 63,305 | 43.0 per 1,000 | 64,343 | 43.4 per 1,000 | 83,270 | 56.0 per 1,000 |
| Total child maltreatment victims3 | 34,150 | 22.8 per 1,000 | 34,721 | 23.6 per 1,000 | 34,995 | 23.6 per 1,000 | 36,500 | 24.5 per 1,000 |
| Child fatalities | 4 | 0.3 per 100,000 | 19 | 1.3 per 100,000 | — | — per 100,000 | — | — per 100,000 |
1 Race/ethnicity data for 2001, 2002, and 2003 represent population estimates. Back
2 A child victim is defined as a child who is the subject of a substantiated or indicated maltreatment report. Back
3 Children with more than one report of substantiated or indicated maltreatment may be counted more than once. Back
| Age of Child Victims (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <1 year | 8.1 | 8.1 | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| 1-5 years | 29.0 | 29.4 | 29.4 | 29.5 |
| 6-10 years | 30.6 | 30.1 | 29.4 | 28.6 |
| 11-15 years | 25.9 | 26.5 | 26.7 | 27.2 |
| 16+ years | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 6.2 |
| Unknown | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Number | 34,150 | 34,721 | 34,995 | 36,500 |
| Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims (%)4 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Native/American Indian | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
| Asian | 2.0 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 1.5 |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | 13.6 | 14.2 | 14.0 | 14.1 |
| Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.0 |
| Hispanic (of any race) | 15.9 | 18.4 | 19.9 | 20.7 |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 43.5 | 45.2 | 46.9 | 47.3 |
| Two or more races | 1.5 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 2.3 |
| Unknown | 23.5 | 18.5 | 15.5 | 14.0 |
| Number | 34,150 | 34,721 | 34,995 | 36,500 |
| Maltreatment Types of Child Victims (%)5 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emotional abuse | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Medical neglect | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Neglect | 87.0 | 88.1 | 89.0 | 89.8 |
| Physical abuse | 19.0 | 17.9 | 16.9 | 16.2 |
| Sexual abuse | 3.5 | 3.2 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Unknown/missing data | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Other | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| Number | 34,150 | 34,721 | 34,995 | 36,500 |
4 Percentages may total more than 100 because Hispanics may be counted by Hispanic ethnicity and race. Back
5 Percentages may total more than 100 because children can be victims of more than one type of maltreatment. Back
C. Characteristics of Children in Foster Care [Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS): Foster Care File]
| In Foster Care on 10/1 FY | Entered Foster Care in FY | Exited Foster Care in FY | In Foster Care on 9/30 FY | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | |
| Total Number | 10,629 | 11,029 | 11,503 | 12,240 | 7,381 | 7,174 | 6,555 | 6,507 | 6,392 | 6,636 | 5,548 | 6,139 | 11,619 | 11,568 | 12,510 | 12,608 |
| Median length of stay (months) | 19.2 | 17.9 | 19.1 | 19.2 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 8.3 | 9.4 | 12.7 | 13.0 | 17.4 | 17.5 | 18.6 | 18.7 |
| In Foster Care on 10/1 FY | Entered Foster Care in FY | Exited Foster Care in FY | In Foster Care on 9/30 FY | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
| <1 year | 2.6 | 3.0 | 3.1 | 3.3 | 9.2 | 9.7 | 10.8 | 10.8 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| 1 year | 3.8 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.9 |
| 2 years | 4.1 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.9 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.7 |
| 3 years | 3.9 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 3.6 |
| 4 years | 4.3 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.6 |
| 5 years | 3.8 | 4.0 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 3.1 | 3.4 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| 6 years | 4.2 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 3.8 | 3.2 | 3.3 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.2 | 3.4 |
| 7 years | 4.5 | 4.3 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 3.5 | 3.2 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 3.1 |
| 8 years | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.1 | 3.5 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 3.3 | 2.8 | 3.9 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 3.5 |
| 9 years | 5.0 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.4 | 4.3 | 3.6 | 3.6 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 3.5 |
| 10 years | 5.1 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| 11 years | 4.7 | 5.5 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 5.5 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| 12 years | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.7 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.9 | 5.5 | 5.3 | 3.8 | 4.6 | 3.6 | 3.7 | 5.4 | 5.7 | 5.0 | 4.9 |
| 13 years | 6.1 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 7.7 | 7.1 | 7.8 | 7.7 | 5.4 | 5.1 | 4.4 | 4.4 | 6.5 | 6.1 | 7.0 | 6.3 |
| 14 years | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 10.5 | 9.6 | 9.8 | 10.7 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 8.6 |
| 15 years | 8.6 | 8.6 | 9.0 | 9.6 | 12.1 | 12.5 | 12.0 | 11.6 | 10.3 | 10.3 | 8.8 | 8.8 | 9.1 | 9.1 | 9.8 | 9.9 |
| 16 years | 9.1 | 8.9 | 9.3 | 9.9 | 8.9 | 9.2 | 9.8 | 9.9 | 9.7 | 9.3 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 9.1 | 9.4 | 9.9 | 9.9 |
| 17 years | 7.3 | 8.0 | 8.2 | 8.3 | 3.0 | 3.7 | 2.8 | 3.6 | 7.6 | 6.4 | 9.9 | 12.3 | 7.8 | 8.2 | 8.2 | 8.9 |
| 18 years | 2.7 | 2.6 | 3.3 | 3.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 7.4 | 5.2 | 2.5 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 3.2 |
| 19 years | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.9 | <.1 | 0.2 | <.1 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 2.0 |
| 20 years | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.9 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.3 |
| Missing data | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 0.1 | <.1 | <.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 |
| In Foster Care on 10/1 FY | Entered Foster Care in FY | Exited Foster Care in FY | In Foster Care on 9/30 FY | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race/Ethnicity (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
| Alaska Native/American Indian | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | <.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Asian | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | 19.0 | 17.7 | 18.6 | 17.9 | 13.5 | 13.5 | 15.8 | 16.1 | 15.8 | 14.8 | 17.1 | 15.8 | 17.3 | 16.8 | 17.8 | 18.0 |
| Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 | <.1 |
| Hispanic (of any race) | 20.6 | 21.0 | 24.8 | 25.3 | 16.5 | 15.4 | 24.4 | 24.3 | 16.6 | 18.1 | 23.6 | 25.4 | 20.3 | 19.1 | 25.2 | 24.7 |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 48.4 | 46.8 | 49.8 | 49.6 | 45.1 | 43.9 | 49.8 | 49.5 | 48.2 | 46.5 | 50.0 | 50.0 | 46.4 | 45.2 | 49.7 | 49.4 |
| Two or more races | 0.6 | 1.0 | 2.2 | 2.4 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 2.5 |
| Unknown | 3.5 | 3.4 | 2.1 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 3.4 | 2.7 | 3.0 |
| Missing data | 6.0 | 8.2 | 0.5 | <.1 | 18.0 | 20.7 | 0.9 | 1.6 | 13.5 | 14.1 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 9.6 | 12.5 | <.1 | 0.4 |
D. Characteristics of Children "Waiting for Adoption"6 (AFCARS: Foster Care File)
| Waiting for Adoption | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total waiting children | 3,145 | 2,910 | 3,109 | 3,059 |
| Numbers of waiting children whose parents' rights have been terminated | 895 | 718 | 1,187 | 967 |
| Age (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <1 year | 3.0 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| 1 year | 6.6 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 7.8 |
| 2 years | 8.5 | 8.3 | 8.2 | 8.4 |
| 3 years | 8.0 | 8.3 | 8.4 | 8.1 |
| 4 years | 7.3 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.0 |
| 5 years | 8.1 | 6.9 | 7.5 | 8.4 |
| 6 years | 7.2 | 7.8 | 6.7 | 6.6 |
| 7 years | 8.4 | 6.9 | 7.7 | 7.0 |
| 8 years | 8.4 | 7.7 | 6.8 | 7.0 |
| 9 years | 7.2 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 6.3 |
| 10 years | 7.4 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 6.9 |
| 11 years | 7.2 | 6.3 | 6.0 | 5.9 |
| 12 years | 4.9 | 5.9 | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| 13 years | 3.6 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| 14 years | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 3.3 |
| 15 years | 1.2 | 1.4 | 2.0 | 1.8 |
| 16 years | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 1.1 |
| 17 years | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
| 18 years | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | 0.2 |
| 19 years | 0.0 | <.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 20+ years | <.1 | 0.0 | <.1 | 0.0 |
| Missing data | — | — | — | — |
| Race/Ethnicity (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Native/American Indian | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | <.1 |
| Asian | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.5 |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | 16.4 | 14.4 | 15.8 | 16.1 |
| Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 | <.1 |
| Hispanic (of any race) | 24.8 | 25.6 | 31.1 | 29.9 |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 45.0 | 41.6 | 44.7 | 45.1 |
| Two or more races | 1.1 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 3.6 |
| Unknown | 3.4 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 3.6 |
| Missing data | 7.2 | 11.2 | 0.0 | <.1 |
6 There is no Federal definition for a child waiting to be adopted. The definition used in the table above includes children who have a goal of adoption and/or whose parental rights have been terminated. It excludes children 16 years old and older whose parental rights have been terminated and who have a goal of emancipation. A State's own definition may differ from that used here. Furthermore, some numbers in this table may be lower than the numbers reported in the prior Child Welfare Outcomes reports. Only children with terminations prior to the end of the fiscal year of interest are included in the current table. Back
E. Characteristics of Children Adopted (AFCARS: Adoption File)
| Adoptions | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total children adopted | 861 | 778 | 808 | 733 |
| Age (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <1 year | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| 1 year | 6.4 | 8.2 | 10.4 | 11.1 |
| 2 years | 10.1 | 11.3 | 11.9 | 11.6 |
| 3 years | 10.8 | 9.4 | 8.4 | 9.7 |
| 4 years | 10.6 | 9.6 | 10.6 | 10.4 |
| 5 years | 10.2 | 10.2 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| 6 years | 8.7 | 8.5 | 7.2 | 8.0 |
| 7 years | 8.5 | 7.1 | 6.8 | 6.3 |
| 8 years | 7.9 | 8.0 | 6.2 | 6.4 |
| 9 years | 7.5 | 4.8 | 7.3 | 6.0 |
| 10 years | 4.8 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 6.5 |
| 11 years | 5.3 | 5.3 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| 12 years | 3.9 | 4.1 | 5.2 | 3.4 |
| 13 years | 1.9 | 3.6 | 2.8 | 2.5 |
| 14 years | 0.9 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.8 |
| 15 years | 0.5 | 1.2 | 1.6 | 0.7 |
| 16 years | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.9 | 0.7 |
| 17 years | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.7 |
| 18 years | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| 19 years | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 |
| 20+ years | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Missing data | — | — | — | — |
| Race/Ethnicity (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Native/American Indian | 0.6 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 |
| Asian | 2.3 | 1.7 | 1.4 | 2.2 |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | 21.5 | 17.4 | 15.0 | 11.3 |
| Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 |
| Hispanic (of any race) | 20.3 | 23.1 | 25.4 | 28.4 |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 49.7 | 52.2 | 50.4 | 50.5 |
| Two or more races | 2.8 | 2.1 | 5.7 | 3.4 |
| Unknown | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 4.0 |
| Missing data | 0.6 | 1.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
Massachusetts [ Outcomes Data ]
1. Reduce Recurrence of Child Abuse and/or Neglect (NCANDS)
| 1.1 Recurrence of Maltreatment Within 6 Months (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children without a recurrence | 89.3 | 88.6 | 89.0 | 89.0 |
| Children with one or more recurrences | 10.7 | 11.4 | 11.0 | 11.0 |
| Number | 16,225 | 17,022 | 16,462 | 17,359 |
2. Reduce the Incidence of Child Abuse and/or Neglect in Foster Care (NCANDS and AFCARS: Foster Care File, Jan.-Sept.)
| 2.1 Maltreatment in Foster Care (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children maltreated while in foster care | 1.07 | 1.19 | 1.11 | 1.06 |
| Children not maltreated while in foster care | 98.93 | 98.81 | 98.89 | 98.94 |
| Number | 16,579 | 16,619 | 16,650 | 17,337 |
3. Increase Permanency for Children in Foster Care (AFCARS: Foster Care File)
| 3.1 Exits of Children from Foster Care (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adoption | 12.1 | 12.8 | 14.3 | 12.5 |
| Guardianship | 6.7 | 4.3 | 7.9 | 8.0 |
| Reunification | 54.6 | 59.3 | 60.2 | 65.1 |
| Other | 9.3 | 11.6 | 15.5 | 14.3 |
| Missing data | 17.3 | 12.0 | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| Number | 6,392 | 6,636 | 5,548 | 6,139 |
| 3.2 Exits of Children with a Diagnosed Disability (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adoption | 16.7 | 38.9 | 26.8 | 37.6 |
| Guardianship | 8.3 | 0.0 | 6.3 | 6.6 |
| Reunification | 25.0 | 38.9 | 43.5 | 39.2 |
| Other | 33.3 | 11.1 | 21.8 | 16.5 |
| Missing data | 16.7 | 11.1 | 1.5 | 0.0 |
| Number | 12 | 18 | 395 | 587 |
| 3.3 Exits of Children Older than Age 12 at Entry into Foster Care (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adoption | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.3 |
| Guardianship | 2.6 | 1.9 | 2.7 | 3.3 |
| Reunification | 59.5 | 61.3 | 65.0 | 69.7 |
| Other | 16.8 | 22.0 | 29.1 | 26.7 |
| Missing data | 21.0 | 14.6 | 3.1 | 0.0 |
| Number | 2,694 | 2,655 | 2,262 | 2,527 |
| 3.4 Exits to Emancipation (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children age 12 or younger at entry | 24.2 | 25.5 | 23.1 | 23.3 |
| Children older than 12 at entry | 75.8 | 74.5 | 76.9 | 76.5 |
| Missing data | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 |
| Number | 557 | 542 | 726 | 759 |
| 3.5 Exits by Race/Ethnicity (%) | Alaska Native/Am. In. | Asian | Black (non-Hispanic) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | |
| Adoption | 0.0 | 30.8 | 0.0 | 7.1 | 11.8 | 15.4 | 10.4 | 7.1 | 17.0 | 15.9 | 12.4 | 10.0 |
| Guardianship | 0.0 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 4.8 | 3.1 | 9.1 | 5.4 | 11.1 | 11.2 |
| Reunification | 30.0 | 46.2 | 83.3 | 50.0 | 64.7 | 61.8 | 70.4 | 74.8 | 43.0 | 52.2 | 57.3 | 63.8 |
| Other | 50.0 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 42.9 | 5.9 | 13.0 | 13.6 | 15.0 | 11.6 | 14.2 | 16.4 | 15.0 |
| Missing data | 20.0 | 7.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 15.1 | 8.1 | 0.8 | 0.0 | 19.3 | 12.3 | 2.9 | 0.0 |
| Number | 10 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 119 | 123 | 125 | 127 | 1,010 | 982 | 947 | 973 |
| |
||||||||||||
| Native Hawaiian/Other Pac. Is. | Hispanic (of any race) | White (non-Hispanic) | ||||||||||
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | |
| Adoption | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 14.6 | 16.4 | 15.4 | 13.7 | 12.9 | 14.2 | 14.5 | 12.5 |
| Guardianship | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.3 | 4.2 | 6.0 | 5.7 | 7.1 | 4.5 | 8.3 | 8.9 |
| Reunification | 100.0 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 50.0 | 51.4 | 53.8 | 62.9 | 67.8 | 54.8 | 57.3 | 58.7 | 62.9 |
| Other | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 0.0 | 8.8 | 12.3 | 14.3 | 12.8 | 10.3 | 12.3 | 16.5 | 15.6 |
| Missing data | 0.0 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 18.9 | 13.3 | 1.4 | 0.0 | 14.8 | 11.7 | 2.1 | 0.0 |
| Number | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1,058 | 1,204 | 1,308 | 1,562 | 3,079 | 3,088 | 2,774 | 3,068 |
| |
||||||||||||
| Unable to Determine | Two or more Races | Missing Data | ||||||||||
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | |
| Adoption | 7.9 | 6.8 | 13.3 | 15.9 | 41.5 | 22.9 | 35.2 | 20.9 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | <.1 |
| Guardianship | 8.4 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 2.4 | 4.9 | 10.1 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 4.3 | <.1 |
| Reunification | 46.3 | 68.0 | 69.9 | 72.3 | 51.2 | 62.7 | 55.7 | 61.2 | 72.3 | 78.1 | 68.1 | 98.3 |
| Other | 15.0 | 9.2 | 8.4 | 9.7 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 4.1 | 7.9 | 2.8 | 6.8 | 22.4 | 1.7 |
| Missing data | 22.4 | 10.7 | 2.1 | 0.0 | 7.3 | 10.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 21.4 | 12.1 | 5.2 | <.1 |
| Number | 214 | 206 | 143 | 195 | 41 | 83 | 122 | 139 | 860 | 935 | 116 | 59 |
4. Reduce Time to Reunification Without Increasing Re-entry (AFCARS Foster Care File)
| 4.1 Time to Reunification (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 12 mos. | 76.6 | 75.1 | 71.6 | 66.7 |
| At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. | 14.4 | 16.6 | 16.8 | 18.7 |
| At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. | 4.3 | 3.9 | 5.8 | 7.6 |
| At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. | 1.9 | 1.4 | 2.2 | 3.6 |
| 48 or more mos. | 1.7 | 1.9 | 2.9 | 3.0 |
| Missing data | 1.1 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.5 |
| Number | 3,489 | 3,935 | 3,338 | 3,998 |
| 4.2 Children Re-entering Foster Care (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children entering care for the first time | 68.3 | 68.2 | 74.9 | 75.8 |
| Children re-entering care within 12 mos. of a prior episode | 20.2 | 20.0 | 11.2 | 11.7 |
| Children re-entering care more than 12 mos. after a prior episode | 11.3 | 11.7 | 13.9 | 12.5 |
| Missing data | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Number | 7,381 | 7,174 | 6,555 | 6,507 |
5. Reduce Time in Foster Care to Adoption (AFCARS Foster Care File)
| 5.1 Time to Adoption (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 12 mos. | 2.2 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 1.6 |
| At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. | 13.5 | 17.2 | 17.2 | 18.0 |
| At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. | 20.7 | 24.0 | 26.3 | 26.7 |
| At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. | 20.3 | 18.8 | 24.4 | 22.0 |
| 48 or more mos. | 43.2 | 37.8 | 30.2 | 31.7 |
| Missing data | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Number | 773 | 849 | 796 | 767 |
6. Increase Placement Stability (AFCARS Foster Care File)
| 6.1 Number of Placements by Time in Care (%) | In Care less than 12 Months | In Care at Least 12 Months but less than 24 Months | In Care for 24 Months or Longer | Missing Time in Care | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | |
| Children with 2 or fewer placements | 74.3 | 73.2 | 75.8 | 75.8 | 53.8 | 54.4 | 52.5 | 51.9 | 30.3 | 30.8 | 29.5 | 28.7 | 56.2 | 57.1 | 41.7 | 34.0 |
| Children with 3 or more placements | 22.7 | 23.7 | 21.4 | 21.5 | 44.8 | 45.3 | 47.4 | 48.0 | 69.5 | 69.1 | 70.5 | 71.3 | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.7 | 0.0 |
| Number | 8,154 | 8,113 | 7,356 | 7,584 | 3,386 | 3,614 | 3,700 | 3,838 | 6,350 | 6,379 | 6,942 | 7,278 | 121 | 98 | 60 | 47 |
7. Reduce Placements of Young Children in Group Homes or Institutions (AFCARS Foster Care File)
| 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 (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group homes | 3.4 | 4.0 | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Institutions | 3.5 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 3.4 |
| Other settings | 92.9 | 92.1 | 93.0 | 93.2 |
| Missing data | 0.3 | <.1 | 0.1 | <.1 |
| Number | 3,998 | 3,870 | 3,562 | 3,476 |
Massachusetts [ State Comment ]
Lewis H. Spence, Commissioner
Department of Social Services
Office of Health and Human Services
The following are Massachusetts comments on the State data presented in Child Welfare Outcomes 2003: Report to Congress.
Section B (Maltreatment Information Overview): In 2003, the Massachusetts Department of Social Services started reporting children with no alleged maltreatment who were included in reports alleging maltreatment of their siblings or other children in the household. For Federal Fiscal Year 2003, 17,231 children (duplicated count) were included in reports of maltreatment although no maltreatment was alleged for these children. This accounts for the increase in the number and rate of "Children subject of an investigated report alleging child maltreatment" from 2002 to 2003.
In 2001, the count of children who died from abuse/neglect was expanded to include deceased children whose families were unknown to DSS or were closed more than six months prior to the child's death. The maltreatment fatalities recorded in 2000 and earlier years were limited to children from families known to DSS (including families with case closures six months or less before the child's death).
Outcome Measure 4.1 (Time to Reunification): In 2002 Massachusetts began to include a trial home visit period of up to 6 months, as required by AFCARS, after a child returned home. This has increased the apparent time in placement for many children.
Outcome Measure 2.1 (Maltreatment in Foster Care): In 2003, Massachusetts started reporting AFCARS IDs on the NCANDS Child File. If the numerator for Outcome measure 2.1 is limited to those children who were also reported on AFCARS for the same period, the measure is .9 percent, not 1.07 percent (153 children rather than 186).
Massachusetts [ Federal Comment ]
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
The following is a discussion of Massachusetts performance on the national outcomes established for the Report to Congress. The discussion focuses on the State's performance in 2003 and on change in performance over time. Change over time was determined by calculating the percent change in performance from 2000 to 2003. A percent change that was less than 5.0 in either direction (i.e., positive or negative) was considered to represent "no change in performance."
Outcome 1. Reduce recurrence of child abuse and/or neglect
In 2003, 11.0 percent of the children in Massachusetts who were victims of maltreatment during the first 6 months of the year experienced another maltreatment incident within a 6-month period (measure 1.1). This percent exceeds the national median of 7.1 percent. There was no change in performance on this measure from 2000 to 2003.
The rate of child victims in 2003 also exceeded the national median. In 2003, the rate of child maltreatment victims was 24.6 child victims per 1,000 children in the State population, which is considerably higher than the national median of 10.6 child victims per 1,000 children in the population. The 2003 child victim rate represents an increase from the rate in 2000 (22.8 per 1,000 children in the population).
Outcome 2. Reduce the incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care
In 2003, 1.07 percent of the children in foster care in Massachusetts were found to be maltreated by a foster parent or facility staff member (measure 2.1), which exceeds the national median of 0.39 percent. There was no change in performance on this measure from 2000 to 2003.
Outcome 3. Increase permanency for children in foster care
In 2003, 85.6 percent of children exiting foster care in Massachusetts (measure 3.1) were discharged to a permanent home, which is close to the national median of 86.3 percent. Also, 83.4 percent of children exiting foster care who had a diagnosed disability (measure 3.2) were discharged to a permanent home, which is slightly higher than the national median of 79.5 percent. Furthermore, 73.3 percent of the children exiting foster care who were older than age 12 when they entered foster care (measure 3.3) were discharged to a permanent home, which is about equal to the national median of 72.2 percent.
In 2003, 23.3 percent of the children reported as emancipated from foster care (either through legal action or because they reach the age of majority) entered foster care when they were age 12 or younger (measure 3.4). This percent is less than the national median of 29.6 percent. Performance on this measure did not change from 2000 to 2003.
Many of the children who are reported as exits to emancipation appear to be discharged from foster care prior to their 18th birthday. In 2003, for example, 472 of the children exiting foster care were age 18 or older at the time of exit. However, 759 children were reported as exiting to emancipation.
There were no real differences with regard to exits to permanency as a function of children's race or ethnicity (measure 3.5). (This was assessed only when a particular race or ethnicity accounted for at least 10 percent of the exits from foster care.) White (non-Hispanic) children exiting foster care were as likely to be discharged to a permanent home (84.3 percent) as were Black (non-Hispanic) children exiting foster care (85.0 percent), and Hispanic children exiting foster care (87.2 percent). However, the percent of Black (non-Hispanic) children in the foster care population (18.0 percent) exceeded the percent of Black (non-Hispanic) children in the State's child population (7.0 percent). Similarly, the percent of Hispanic children in the State's foster care population (24.7 percent) exceeded the percent of Hispanic children in the State's child population (10.6 percent).
Outcome 4. Reduce time in foster care to reunification without increasing re-entry
In 2003, 66.7 percent of all reunifications in Massachusetts occurred within 12 months of a child's entry into foster care (measure 4.1). This percent not only is less than the national median of 72.0 percent, but also represents a decline in performance on the measure from 2000 to 2003 (-12.9 percent change). In addition, 6.6 percent of reunifications occurred after the child had been in foster care for at least 36 months, which exceeds the national median of 3.5 percent.
With regard to re-entries into foster care, in 2003, 11.7 percent of the children entering foster care were re-entering within 12 months of a prior episode (measure 4.2). Although this percent is larger than the national median of 9.5 percent, it represents a performance improvement from 2000 to 2003 (-42.1 percent change). However, 12.5 percent of the children entering foster care in 2003 were re-entering more than 24 months after a prior episode. Consequently, 24.2 percent of all children entering foster care in 2003 had been in foster care at a prior time.
Outcome 5. Reduce time in foster care to adoption
In 2003, 19.6 percent of all finalized adoptions in Massachusetts occurred within 24 months of a child's entry into foster care (measure 5.1). Although this is less than the national median of 23.9 percent, it represents an improvement in performance from 2000 to 2003 (+24.8 percent change).
Outcome 6. Increase placement stability
In 2003, 75.8 percent of the children in foster care in Massachusetts for less than 12 months experienced no more than two placement settings, which is less than the national median of 84.2 percent (measure 6.1). Also in 2003, 51.9 percent of the children in foster care for at least 12 months, but less than 24 months, experienced no more than two placement settings, which is less than the national median of 59.1 percent.
Outcome 7. Reduce placements of young children in group homes and institutions
In 2003, 6.7 percent of the children entering foster care in Massachusetts who were age 12 or younger were placed in a group home or institution (measure 7.1), which is less than the national median of 8.3 percent. There was no change in performance on this measure from 2000 to 2003.
