Monitoring & Reporting
See What's To Come in this Section
The Laws & Policies, Monitoring & Reporting, and Research & Data sections of the website will undergo a major transformation in 2012. This section will feature a robust, browseable, searchable resource library that will allow users to easily find what they are looking for.
The Children's Bureau and the Administration for Children and Families rely on several federal and state reporting systems to monitor outcomes and experiences of children, youth and families engaged with the child welfare system.
Child and Family Service Reviews (CFSRs)
The Children's Bureau conducts the CFSRs, which are periodic reviews of state child welfare systems, to:
- Ensure conformity with federal child welfare requirements;
- Determine what is actually happening to children and families as they are engaged in child welfare services;
- Assist states in helping children and families achieve positive outcomes.
Our Child and Family Services Reviews Factsheet explains the history, purpose and process of CFSRs.
After a CFSR is completed, states develop a Program Improvement Plan (PIP) to address areas needing improvement in their child welfare services. Our Program Improvement Plan Instructions and Matrix provides guidance to states in developing their PIPs.
Child and Family Service Plans (CFSPs)
A CFSP is a five-year plan developed by states, tribes or territories outlining how they will administer programs that promote the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families.
To measure yearly progress toward CFSP goals, states, tribes and territories submit Annual Progress and Services Reports (APSRs).
We provide toolkits to states, tribes and territories for building CFSPs and APSRs.
National Youth in Transition Database
The National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) collects information—sex, race, ethnicity, date of birth and foster care status—on youth in foster care and outcomes on those who have aged out of foster care. States began collecting data in 2010, and the first data set was submitted in May 2011.
Our Q&A summarizes responses to questions posed by states regarding implementation of the National Youth in Transition Database.
Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS)
The Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) is a federally funded case management system. SACWIS, for states that elect to use it, is the record hub for all children and families receiving child welfare support and contains all the complete, current and accurate case management history information. Our SACWIS Status page identifies each state's current SACWIS standing.
