Missouri
Context Data | Outcomes Data | State Comment | Federal Comment
Missouri [ Context Data ]
A. Context Statistics
| General Child Population (Census Bureau) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total children under 18 years | 1,424,086 | 1,406,492 | 1,408,071 | 1,407,342 |
| Race/Ethnicity (%)1 | ||||
| Alaska Native/American Indian | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Asian | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | 14.3 | 14.5 | 14.0 | 14.0 |
| Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander | 0.0 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 |
| Hispanic (of any race) | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 3.0 |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 78.9 | 78.8 | 79.6 | 79.3 |
| Two or more races | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 2.1 |
| % Child population in poverty | 10.6 | 12.9 | 15.3 | 14.7 |
| Child Welfare Summary | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Child maltreatment victims2 | 7,658 | 9,237 | 9,810 | 10,183 |
| Children in foster care on 9/30 | 13,181 | 13,394 | 13,029 | 11,900 |
| Children adopted | 1,265 | 1,101 | 1,542 | 1,403 |
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 | 74,412 | 52.2 per 1,000 | 80,743 | 57.4 per 1,000 | 80,653 | 57.3 per 1,000 | 84,383 | 60.0 per 1,000 |
| Total child maltreatment victims3 | 7,658 | 5.4 per 1,000 | 9,237 | 6.6 per 1,000 | 9,810 | 7.0 per 1,000 | 10,183 | 7.2 per 1,000 |
| Child fatalities | 48 | 3.4 per 100,000 | 33 | 2.3 per 100,000 | 52 | 3.7 per 100,000 | 45 | 3.2 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 | 6.4 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 6.3 |
| 1-5 years | 27.9 | 29.4 | 30.1 | 30.3 |
| 6-10 years | 30.4 | 29.6 | 29.2 | 27.1 |
| 11-15 years | 29.1 | 30.0 | 28.7 | 30.5 |
| 16+ years | 5.5 | 5.7 | 5.6 | 5.6 |
| Unknown | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.1 |
| Number | 7,658 | 9,237 | 9,810 | 10,183 |
| Race/Ethnicity of Child Victims (%)4 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Native/American Indian | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Asian | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | 22.5 | 20.6 | 18.7 | 18.8 |
| Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.0 |
| Hispanic (of any race) | 1.8 | 2.0 | 2.3 | 2.2 |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 74.2 | 75.6 | 77.0 | 76.6 |
| Two or more races | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Unknown | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 1.7 |
| Number | 7,658 | 9,237 | 9,810 | 10,183 |
| Maltreatment Types of Child Victims (%)5 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emotional abuse | 4.0 | 7.7 | 6.3 | 6.1 |
| Medical neglect | 2.7 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 3.2 |
| Neglect | 45.2 | 51.5 | 48.8 | 50.4 |
| Physical abuse | 27.4 | 27.3 | 28.2 | 27.9 |
| Sexual abuse | 28.3 | 24.5 | 28.7 | 27.9 |
| Unknown/missing data | 2.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Other | 2.6 | 3.5 | 2.7 | 2.6 |
| Number | 7,658 | 9,237 | 9,810 | 10,183 |
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 | 11,474 | 11,705 | 12,232 | 12,118 | 7,216 | 7,392 | 7,139 | 6,342 | 5,509 | 5,703 | 6,342 | 6,560 | 13,181 | 13,394 | 13,029 | 11,900 |
| Median length of stay (months) | 19.3 | 17.0 | 16.9 | 16.3 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 12.2 | 12.8 | 14.3 | 15.4 | 17.0 | 15.5 | 15.9 | 16.8 |
| 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 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 12.7 | 12.7 | 13.7 | 14.5 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.7 |
| 1 year | 4.6 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.5 | 6.2 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 5.6 | 6.2 | 5.5 | 6.4 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| 2 years | 4.4 | 4.7 | 4.7 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 5.5 | 5.4 | 6.2 | 5.2 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.1 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| 3 years | 4.4 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 5.0 | 5.6 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.0 | 5.8 | 5.9 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 5.0 |
| 4 years | 4.2 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 5.2 | 5.1 | 5.4 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 4.5 | 4.2 |
| 5 years | 4.6 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.1 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.2 | 4.0 | 3.9 | 4.2 |
| 6 years | 5.2 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 5.1 | 4.7 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 3.9 |
| 7 years | 5.3 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 5.0 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 5.5 | 4.9 | 5.1 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.2 | 3.7 |
| 8 years | 5.4 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 4.6 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 5.1 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
| 9 years | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.6 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 4.8 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.3 |
| 10 years | 5.3 | 5.1 | 5.2 | 4.9 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 4.6 |
| 11 years | 5.0 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.2 | 4.6 | 5.2 | 5.0 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.8 | 5.2 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.2 | 4.7 |
| 12 years | 5.4 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 4.4 | 5.2 | 5.7 | 5.5 | 5.6 |
| 13 years | 6.1 | 5.9 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 6.1 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 6.2 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 5.1 | 5.9 | 5.8 | 6.2 | 5.9 |
| 14 years | 6.6 | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.6 | 7.9 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.3 | 5.9 | 5.5 | 5.4 | 5.0 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 6.4 | 7.1 |
| 15 years | 7.3 | 7.7 | 7.6 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 7.4 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 6.2 | 6.6 | 6.0 | 5.7 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.4 | 7.2 |
| 16 years | 7.3 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 7.7 | 5.8 | 5.6 | 5.4 | 5.1 | 7.0 | 6.3 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 7.7 | 7.7 | 7.7 |
| 17 years | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.2 | 6.1 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 5.6 | 5.8 | 5.4 | 5.7 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.9 | 6.1 |
| 18 years | 2.4 | 3.1 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 4.3 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 3.6 |
| 19 years | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 | <.1 | 1.3 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 |
| 20 years | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.0 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.2 |
| Missing data | <.1 | <.1 | 0.0 | <.1 | <.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 | 0.6 | 0.4 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 |
| 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 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.3 |
| Asian | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | 43.6 | 41.1 | 37.0 | 34.4 | 31.3 | 27.7 | 26.9 | 24.9 | 32.4 | 32.6 | 29.2 | 25.6 | 41.6 | 37.3 | 35.2 | 34.2 |
| Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 | <.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 | <.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 |
| Hispanic (of any race) | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 54.5 | 56.8 | 60.3 | 62.4 | 65.3 | 68.2 | 68.8 | 70.5 | 64.3 | 64.0 | 66.7 | 70.4 | 56.4 | 60.0 | 61.8 | 62.3 |
| Two or more races | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | 0.1 | <.1 | 0.1 | <.1 | 0.3 | <.1 | <.1 | 0.1 | 0.2 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | 0.2 |
| Unknown | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Missing data | <.1 | <.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | <.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
D. Characteristics of Children "Waiting for Adoption"6 (AFCARS: Foster Care File)
| Waiting for Adoption | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total waiting children | 3,130 | 3,015 | 2,870 | 3,385 |
| Numbers of waiting children whose parents' rights have been terminated | 1,524 | 1,603 | 1,620 | 1,684 |
| Age (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <1 year | 1.7 | 2.4 | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| 1 year | 4.6 | 4.9 | 5.5 | 6.8 |
| 2 years | 6.0 | 5.2 | 5.5 | 6.0 |
| 3 years | 5.5 | 5.2 | 4.5 | 6.8 |
| 4 years | 5.3 | 5.7 | 4.8 | 5.4 |
| 5 years | 5.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 | 5.0 |
| 6 years | 6.6 | 5.2 | 4.1 | 4.9 |
| 7 years | 6.8 | 6.0 | 5.2 | 4.6 |
| 8 years | 6.8 | 6.3 | 5.8 | 5.2 |
| 9 years | 6.9 | 6.7 | 6.0 | 5.9 |
| 10 years | 6.8 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 6.0 |
| 11 years | 7.4 | 7.1 | 7.1 | 6.1 |
| 12 years | 6.8 | 8.0 | 7.7 | 6.9 |
| 13 years | 7.5 | 7.0 | 7.7 | 7.1 |
| 14 years | 6.0 | 7.3 | 7.2 | 7.2 |
| 15 years | 4.2 | 5.8 | 7.3 | 5.9 |
| 16 years | 2.9 | 3.3 | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| 17 years | 1.9 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.9 |
| 18 years | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
| 19 years | 0.3 | <.1 | 0.2 | 0.3 |
| 20+ years | 0.2 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 |
| Missing data | — | — | — | — |
| Race/Ethnicity (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Native/American Indian | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 |
| Asian | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.3 |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | 47.3 | 45.2 | 43.1 | 38.3 |
| Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 |
| Hispanic (of any race) | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 2.2 |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 50.7 | 52.5 | 54.2 | 57.9 |
| Two or more races | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 | 0.3 |
| Unknown | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.8 |
| Missing data | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
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 | 1,265 | 1,101 | 1,542 | 1,403 |
| Age (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <1 year | 2.3 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 2.6 |
| 1 year | 9.5 | 9.8 | 9.3 | 10.3 |
| 2 years | 9.4 | 12.2 | 10.5 | 11.3 |
| 3 years | 7.7 | 9.0 | 8.5 | 8.1 |
| 4 years | 7.4 | 8.9 | 8.6 | 7.7 |
| 5 years | 8.1 | 6.6 | 6.2 | 6.0 |
| 6 years | 7.1 | 6.4 | 6.4 | 5.7 |
| 7 years | 9.6 | 6.7 | 6.5 | 6.0 |
| 8 years | 5.8 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 5.3 |
| 9 years | 6.6 | 6.4 | 6.2 | 6.7 |
| 10 years | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.7 | 4.7 |
| 11 years | 4.6 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 6.2 |
| 12 years | 4.5 | 3.2 | 4.8 | 5.3 |
| 13 years | 3.6 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.5 |
| 14 years | 3.2 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 3.3 |
| 15 years | 1.4 | 2.6 | 1.7 | 2.8 |
| 16 years | 1.7 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| 17 years | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.4 |
| 18 years | <.1 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 0.3 |
| 19 years | 0.0 | 0.2 | <.1 | <.1 |
| 20+ years | <.1 | 0.0 | <.1 | 0.0 |
| Missing data | — | — | — | — |
| Race/Ethnicity (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Native/American Indian | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.4 |
| Asian | 0.2 | 0.0 | <.1 | 0.6 |
| Black (non-Hispanic) | 39.3 | 39.0 | 36.6 | 31.1 |
| Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Hispanic (of any race) | 1.1 | 2.0 | 2.5 | 2.3 |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 58.3 | 58.6 | 59.8 | 64.9 |
| Two or more races | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.1 | <.1 |
| Unknown | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.4 | 0.6 |
| Missing data | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
Missouri [ 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 | 94.1 | 89.7 | 92.1 | 91.7 |
| Children with one or more recurrences | 5.9 | 10.3 | 7.9 | 8.3 |
| Number | 3,436 | 4,128 | 4,588 | 4,268 |
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 | 0.52 | 0.60 | 0.68 | 0.38 |
| Children not maltreated while in foster care | 99.48 | 99.40 | 99.32 | 99.62 |
| Number | 17,316 | 17,624 | 17,737 | 16,870 |
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 | 19.6 | 18.9 | 23.7 | 20.7 |
| Guardianship | 5.0 | 7.0 | 13.3 | 10.8 |
| Reunification | 61.1 | 59.6 | 55.5 | 60.3 |
| Other | 14.3 | 14.5 | 7.4 | 8.2 |
| Missing data | 0.0 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 |
| Number | 5,509 | 5,703 | 6,342 | 6,560 |
| 3.2 Exits of Children with a Diagnosed Disability (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adoption | 22.0 | 20.6 | 24.4 | 20.6 |
| Guardianship | 5.7 | 6.9 | 11.7 | 8.7 |
| Reunification | 51.0 | 51.5 | 49.1 | 56.1 |
| Other | 21.3 | 20.9 | 14.8 | 14.6 |
| Missing data | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 |
| Number | 1,308 | 1,318 | 1,390 | 1,395 |
| 3.3 Exits of Children Older than Age 12 at Entry into Foster Care (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adoption | 1.4 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 2.6 |
| Guardianship | 3.2 | 5.0 | 10.2 | 5.4 |
| Reunification | 66.2 | 63.9 | 67.1 | 70.0 |
| Other | 29.3 | 28.5 | 19.9 | 21.9 |
| Missing data | 0.0 | <.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 |
| Number | 1,521 | 1,545 | 1,631 | 1,671 |
| 3.4 Exits to Emancipation (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children age 12 or younger at entry | 46.5 | 50.3 | 30.2 | 30.0 |
| Children older than 12 at entry | 53.5 | 49.7 | 69.8 | 70.0 |
| Missing data | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Number | 600 | 676 | 275 | 337 |
| 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 | 35.7 | 9.5 | 26.3 | 15.6 | 5.7 | 0.0 | 8.3 | 39.1 | 23.0 | 22.5 | 29.9 | 25.2 |
| Guardianship | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.3 | 6.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 12.5 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 9.4 | 18.3 | 15.0 |
| Reunification | 50.0 | 76.2 | 68.4 | 68.8 | 85.7 | 85.7 | 58.3 | 47.8 | 58.0 | 51.5 | 44.2 | 48.7 |
| Other | 14.3 | 14.3 | 0.0 | 9.4 | 8.6 | 14.3 | 20.8 | 8.7 | 14.2 | 16.6 | 7.7 | 11.1 |
| Missing data | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 |
| Number | 14 | 21 | 19 | 32 | 35 | 28 | 24 | 23 | 1,784 | 1,860 | 1,850 | 1,682 |
| |
||||||||||||
| 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 | 0.0 | 12.7 | 22.2 | 28.4 | 22.9 | 18.2 | 17.3 | 21.2 | 19.1 |
| Guardianship | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 8.2 | 4.6 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 11.3 | 9.6 |
| Reunification | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 75.5 | 57.6 | 58.2 | 64.1 | 61.9 | 63.3 | 60.0 | 64.3 |
| Other | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 10.8 | 18.2 | 5.2 | 8.4 | 14.6 | 13.4 | 7.4 | 7.0 |
| Missing data | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 | <.1 | <.1 |
| Number | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 102 | 99 | 134 | 131 | 3,540 | 3,652 | 4,232 | 4,617 |
| |
||||||||||||
| Unable to Determine | Two or more Races | Missing Data | ||||||||||
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | |
| Adoption | 17.4 | 7.9 | 8.0 | 15.0 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 28.6 | 8.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Guardianship | 0.0 | 2.6 | 13.3 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 28.6 | 16.7 | 11.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | <.1 |
| Reunification | 78.3 | 73.7 | 73.3 | 60.0 | 50.0 | 100.0 | 42.9 | 75.0 | 88.9 | 100.0 | 0.0 | <.1 |
| Other | 4.3 | 15.8 | 5.3 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Missing data | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Number | 23 | 38 | 75 | 60 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
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. | 68.0 | 65.6 | 66.6 | 59.5 |
| At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. | 16.4 | 20.7 | 19.4 | 24.1 |
| At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. | 7.0 | 5.3 | 6.0 | 8.2 |
| At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. | 3.1 | 3.0 | 2.7 | 2.9 |
| 48 or more mos. | 4.5 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Missing data | 1.0 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.1 |
| Number | 3,367 | 3,400 | 3,519 | 3,954 |
| 4.2 Children Re-entering Foster Care (%) | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children entering care for the first time | 78.1 | 77.9 | 74.9 | 74.2 |
| Children re-entering care within 12 mos. of a prior episode | 8.8 | 8.5 | 8.6 | 8.9 |
| Children re-entering care more than 12 mos. after a prior episode | 10.9 | 11.0 | 9.2 | 10.0 |
| Missing data | 2.2 | 2.5 | 7.2 | 6.8 |
| Number | 7,216 | 7,392 | 7,139 | 6,342 |
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. | 5.5 | 7.3 | 6.7 | 7.2 |
| At least 12 mos., but less than 24 mos. | 19.1 | 21.6 | 23.4 | 25.8 |
| At least 24 mos., but less than 36 mos. | 25.4 | 27.6 | 25.4 | 31.8 |
| At least 36 mos., but less than 48 mos. | 18.6 | 17.8 | 18.3 | 18.3 |
| 48 or more mos. | 31.2 | 25.7 | 25.3 | 16.6 |
| Missing data | 0.2 | <.1 | 0.8 | 0.3 |
| Number | 1,078 | 1,076 | 1,505 | 1,358 |
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 | 79.1 | 77.1 | 78.8 | 78.6 | 53.6 | 51.7 | 53.1 | 51.8 | 32.7 | 29.0 | 28.7 | 26.2 | 100.0 | 95.8 | 94.4 | 98.6 |
| Children with 3 or more placements | 20.9 | 22.9 | 21.2 | 21.4 | 46.4 | 48.3 | 46.9 | 48.2 | 67.3 | 71.0 | 71.3 | 73.8 | 0.0 | 4.2 | 5.6 | 1.4 |
| Number | 8,020 | 8,310 | 8,064 | 7,399 | 3,630 | 4,199 | 4,430 | 4,422 | 7,004 | 6,540 | 6,806 | 6,566 | 36 | 48 | 71 | 73 |
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 | 1.8 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 1.2 |
| Institutions | 9.3 | 8.6 | 6.4 | 5.6 |
| Other settings | 88.9 | 89.6 | 92.0 | 93.2 |
| Missing data | 0.0 | <.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Number | 5,051 | 5,169 | 3,454 | 2,986 |
Missouri [ State Comment ]
Frederic M. Simmens, Director
Children's Division
Missouri Department of Social Services
The following are Missouri's comments on the State's data presented in Child Welfare Outcomes 2003: Report to Congress.
Missouri continues to be dedicated to providing the most accurate data possible through our NCANDS and AFCARS transmissions. We persist in our efforts to enhance our data systems to more thoroughly detail our compliance with the mandates of ASFA and to better serve our families.
Missouri has seen an increase in the percentage of children adopted within 24 months of entering foster care. Additionally, we have fewer youth exiting to emancipation that entered care prior to the age of twelve. Also we have made great strides in reducing the numbers of young children in institutional settings.
Section B (Maltreatment Information Overview): Section B indicated a substantial increase in the number of children who were the subject of an investigated child maltreatment report, and the number and rate of child maltreatment victims from FY2000 to FY2003. This likely resulted from a combination of factors including heightened public awareness, an increase in the number of reports being made, a State audit resulting in a review of the hotline call center's processes, and enhanced training for hotline call center staff, out of reaction to a high profile case.
Section C (Children in Foster Care): The data in Section C indicate that Missouri had significantly fewer children in care on 10/1/02 than on 9/30/02. This difference is due to untimely data entry for a number of children who exited foster care. We are committed to increasing our ability to more accurately report on exits in a timely manner.
Section D (Children Waiting to be Adopted): The seeming discrepancy in Section D, between the number of children awaiting adoption and the number of children having a termination of parental rights, is reflective of the practice in many Missouri courts to delay termination of parental rights until an adoptive home has been found for a specific child or sibling group. Often these courts terminate parental rights and finalize adoptions in the same court proceeding.
Outcome measure 3.4 (Exits to Emancipation): Regarding outcome measure 3.4, some youth age eighteen and older exit our custody for reasons other than emancipation. Instances would include children who are reunified, adopted, or live with relatives. Sadly, some also enter the adult correctional system.
Missouri is aggressively working to improve the rates of timely reunification and placement stability for children in our care. Specific strategies to address both of these issues are included in our Program Improvement Plan. Our increased performance in these areas will undoubtedly improve the lives of the children we serve.
Missouri is committed to providing timely and accurate data to ACF. We continue to believe our data would be more accurate if we were permitted to update past AFCARS and NCANDS submissions with every new transmission.
Missouri [ Federal Comment ]
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
The following is a discussion of Missouri's 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, 8.3 percent of the children in Missouri 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 not only exceeds the national median of 7.1 percent, but also represents a decline in performance on the measure from 2000 to 2003 (-40.7 percent change).
The increase from 2000 to 2003 in the percentage of children experiencing maltreatment recurrence corresponds to an increase from 2000 to 2003 in the State's child maltreatment victim rate. In 2003, the rate of child maltreatment victims was 7.2 child victims per 1,000 children in the State population, which is higher than the national median of 10.6 child victims per 1,000 children in the population. In comparison, in 2000, the child victim rate in Missouri was 5.4 children per 1,000 children in the State population.
Outcome 2. Reduce the incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care
In 2003, 0.37 percent of the children in foster care in Missouri were found to be maltreated by a foster parent or facility staff member (measure 2.1). This percent not only is less than the national median of 0.39 percent, but also represents an improvement in performance from 2000 to 2003 (-28.8 percent change).
Outcome 3. Increase permanency for children in foster care
In 2003, 91.8 percent of all children exiting foster care in Missouri (measure 3.1) were discharged to a permanent home, which exceeds the national median of 86.3 percent. Also, 85.4 percent of children exiting foster care who had a diagnosed disability (measure 3.2) were discharged to a permanent home, which exceeds the national median of 79.5 percent. Furthermore, 78.0 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 exceeds the national median of 72.2 percent.
With regard to ensuring that children emancipated from foster care (either through legal action or because they reach the age of majority) did not spend most of their formative years in foster care, in 2003, 30.0 percent of the children reported as emancipated from foster care entered foster care when they were age 12 or younger (measure 3.4). Although this percent is about equal to the national median of 29.6 percent, it represents an improvement in performance from 2000 to 2003 (-35.5 percent change).
There appear to be a number of children who are 18 and older when they exit foster care but whose discharge reason is other than emancipation. For example, in 2003, 531 children exiting foster care were age 18 or older. However, only 337 children were reported to have emancipated from foster care in 2003.
There was only a slight difference with regard to exits to permanency as a function of children's race (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 slightly more likely to be discharged to a permanent home (93.0 percent) than were Black (non-Hispanic) children exiting foster care (88.9 percent). However, the percent of Black (non-Hispanic) children in the foster care population (34.2 percent) exceeded the percent of Black (non-Hispanic) children in the State's child population (14.0 percent).
Outcome 4. Reduce time in foster care to reunification without increasing re-entry
In 2003, only 59.5 percent of all reunifications in Missouri 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 this measure from 2000 to 2003 (-12.5 percent change). In addition, 7.3 percent of reunifications occurred after the child had been in foster care for at least 36 months, which is almost twice the national median of 3.5 percent.
Although Missouri had a relatively low percentage of reunifications in 2003 that occurred within 12 months of a child's entry into foster care, the State also had a relatively low percentage of re-entries into foster care within 12 months of a prior episode. In 2003, 8.9 percent of the children entering foster care in Missouri were re-entering within 12 months of a prior episode (measure 4.2), which is less than the national median of 9.5 percent. There was no change in performance on this measure from 2000 to 2003. However, 10.0 percent of the children entering foster care in 2003 were entering more than 12 months after a prior foster care episode. Consequently 18.9 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, 33.0 percent of all finalized adoptions in Missouri occurred within 24 months of a child's entry into foster care (measure 5.1). This percent not only exceeds the national median of 23.9 percent, but also represents an improvement in performance from 2000 to 2003 (+34.1 percent change).
Outcome 6. Increase placement stability
In 2003, 78.6 percent of the children in foster care in Missouri for less than 12 months experienced no more than two placement settings (measure 6.1), which is less than the national median of 84.2 percent. Also in 2003, 51.8 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. There was a decline in placement stability in 2003 of 26.8 percentage points for children in foster care for 12 to 24 months compared to children in foster care for less than 12 months.
Outcome 7. Reduce placements of young children in group homes and institutions
In 2003, 6.8 percent of the children entering foster care in Missouri who were age 12 or younger were placed in a group home or institution (measure 7.1). This percent not only is less than the national median of 8.3 percent, but also represents a performance improvement from 2000 to 2003 (-22.5 percent change).
