AFCARS Element

Data In AFCARS Matches Case File

Data In AFCARS Does Not Match Paper File

Questionable

Comments

#3 County FIPS code

3¹

55²

0

2²

#5 Most Recent Periodic Review Date

2

48

0

2

Not found = 1

Not found = 7

#6 Child Birth Date

3

56

0

1

#7 Child Sex

1 = Male

2 = Female

3

57

0

0

#8 Child Race

a. American Indian or Alaska Native

3

52

0

0

Not found = 5

b. Asian

3

52

0

0

Not found = 5

c. Black or African American

2

52

1

0

In the error case, the race should have been marked as “applies.” The child was multi-racial.

Not found = 5

d. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

3

52

0

0

Not found = 5

e. White

3

50

0

2

Not found = 5

The errors were due to the reviewers finding an additional race.

f. Unable to Determine

3

48

0

0

0

4

Not found = 5

#9 Child Hispanic Origin

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unable to Determine

3

51

0

2

0

3

Not found = 1

The two error cases were reported to AFCARS as “no” and the reviewer indicated “yes.”

The three questionable cases were reported to AFCARS as “unable to determine” and the reviewer did not indicate if the child’s caretaker refused to provide the child’s race.

#10 Has Child Been Diagnosed with Disability?

2

31

1

20

0

3

The error case indicated a “no” in the AFCARS data, but the reviewer found that the child had a diagnosed disability.

Not found = 3

The three questionable records were because the information reported to AFCARS was “not yet determined,” but the child had been in care for at least a year or more. Since the reviewers did not note any findings, the response for these records is probably “no.”

There were eight error records reported to AFCARS as “no,” but the reviewer found the child had been diagnosed with a disability.

There were 12 records reported to AFCARS as “not yet determined.” In eight cases the reviewer found diagnosed disability information. The other four should have been reported as “no.” Most of the records indicate the child had been in foster care for more than a year.

#11 Mental Retardation

2

51

1

0

0

3

The reviewer found that this condition did apply.

Not found = 3

#12 Visually/Hearing Impaired

3

51

0

0

0

3

Not found = 3

#13 Physically Disabled

3

51

0

0

0

3

Not found = 3

#14 Emotionally Disturbed

3

34

0

17

0

3

Not found = 3

Most of the errors should have been reported as “applies.”

#15 Other Diagnosed Condition

3

47

0

4

0

3

Not found = 3

The error cases were reported in AFCARS as “applies” and should have been “does not apply.”

#16 Has Child Ever Been Adopted?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unable to Determine

2

45

1

12

The error case was reported as “unable to determine” in AFCARS, but the reviewer indicated the response was “yes.”

There were two error cases reported as “unable to determine” and the reviewer found that the child had not been previously adopted. Both of these cases had a date of removal after October 1, 1994 and the implementation of FamilyNet.

There were 10 cases reported as blank but the reviewer found in nine cases the answer should have been “no,” and in one case the response was “yes.” Nine of these cases were prior to when the State converted to FamilyNet. There was only one case that had a date of removal prior to October 1, 1994.

#17 Age at Previous Adoption

0 = Not Applicable

1 = less than 2 years old

2 = 2-5 years old

3 = 6-12 years old

4 = 13 years or older

5 = Unable to Determine

2

45

1

12

The error case was reported as “unable to determine” in AFCARS, but the reviewer was able to find an age.

#18 Date of First Removal from Home

3

56

0

0

Not found = 1

#19 Total Number of Removals from Home

3

53

0

1

0

2

Not found = 1

#20 Date of Discharge from Previous Episode

3

49

0

5

0

1

Not found = 2

#21 Date of Latest Removal

3

52

0

1

0

1

Not found = 3

#23 Date of Placement in Current Setting

1

41

1

7

0

1

Not found = 1

Not found = 8

In four of the error cases, the reviewer found an earlier date than what was reported. The State may want to verify if this is actually the case or if the information was not in the paper file.

In the other three cases, the dates found by the reviewers were after those reported in AFCARS. In each instance the number of placement settings was also wrong.

#24 Number of Previous Placement Settings in This Episode

1

35

1

12

0

2

Not found = 1

Not found = 8

#25 Manner of Removal From Home for This Episode

1 = Voluntary

2 = Court Ordered

3 = Not Yet Determined

3

51

0

2

Not found = 4

#26 Physical Abuse

2

42

1

14

There was one record that was missing data for elements #26 - 40 but the reviewer was able to find the data. This data would not have been required for AFCARS because the child’s removal date preceded October 1, 1994.

Not found = 1

There were ten records reported with missing data for elements #26-40 but the reviewers were able to find the data. There were eight records that had dates of removal after October 1, 1994. There were two records with a date of removal prior to October 1, 1994. Of those that had a date of removal after October 1, 1994, there were eight records that had dates of removal prior to the implementation of FamilyNet.

The number of records that the reviewer indicated should have been “applies” and not “does not apply” (or blank): 8

#27 Sexual Abuse

2

43

1

13

Not found = 1

The number of records that the reviewer indicated should have been “applies” and not “does not apply” (or blank): 3

#28 Neglect

2

23

1

23

Not found = 1

The number of records that the reviewer indicated should have been “applies” and not “does not apply” (or blank): 21

#29 Parent Alcohol Abuse

2

37

1

19

Not found = 1

The number of records that the reviewer indicated should have been “applies” and not “does not apply” (or blank): 12

#30 Parent Drug Abuse

2

36

1

20

Not found = 1

The number of records that the reviewer indicated should have been “applies” and not “does not apply” (or blank): 12

#31 Child Alcohol Abuse

2

39

1

17

Not found = 1

The number of records that the reviewer indicated should have been “applies” and not “does not apply” (or blank): 2. There were five reported as “applies” that should have been “does not apply.”

#32 Child Drug Abuse

2

45

1

11

Not found = 1

There was one error case reported as “applies” and the reviewer indicated it did not apply.

#33 Child Disability

2

46

1

10

Not found = 1

There was one record that the reviewer indicated should have been “applies” and was reported as blank.

#34 Child's Behavior Problem

2

41

1

15

Not found = 1

The number of records that the reviewer indicated should have been “applies” and not “does not apply” (or blank): 5

#35 Death of Parent

2

46

1

10

Not found = 1

#36 Incarceration of Parent

1

44

2

11

In one error case, the reviewer found an additional condition that applied.

Not found = 1

The number of records that the reviewer indicated should have been “applies” and not “does not apply”: 1

#37 Caretaker Inability to Cope

2

40

1

16

The number of records that the reviewer indicated should have been “applies” and not “does not apply” (or blank): 10

#38 Abandonment

2

46

1

10

Not found = 1

#39 Relinquishment

2

46

1

10

Not found = 1

#40 Inadequate Housing

1

43

2

14

In one error case, the reviewer found an additional condition that applied.

Not found = 1

#41 Current Placement Setting

1 = Pre-Adoptive Home

2 = Foster Family Home (Relative)

3 = Foster Family Home (Non-Relative)

4 = Group Home

5 = Institution

6 = Supervised Independent Living

7 = Runaway

8 = Trial Home Visit

3

37

0

1

Not found = 2

#42 Out of State Placement

3

55

0

0

Not found = 2

#43 Most Recent Case Plan Goal

1 = Reunify with Parent(s) or Principal Caretaker(s)

2 = Live with Other Relative(s)

3 = Adoption

4 = Long Term Foster Care

5 = Emancipation

6 = Guardianship

7 = Case Plan Goal Not Yet Established

3

53

0

2

0

1

Not found = 1

#44 Caretaker Family Structure

1 = Married Couple

2 = Unmarried Couple

3 = Single Female

4 = Single Male

5 = Unable to Determine

3

50

0

5

Not found = 2

#45 1 st Primary Caretaker's Birth Year

3

51

0

5

0

0

Not found = 1

#46 2 nd Primary Caretaker's Birth Year

3

47

0

6

0

4

The error cases were missing data and the family structure in #44 was confirmed to be either a married or unmarried couple. The reviewers also found the information in the paper file.

#47 Mother's Date of TPR

0

54

2

3

Not found = 1

There was one case where the parents were deceased and this date was not reported.

#48 Father's Date of TPR

1

54

1

3

Not found = 1

There was one case where the parents were deceased and this date was not reported.

#49 Foster Family Structure

0 = Not Applicable

1 = Married Couple

2 = Unmarried Couple

3 = Single Female

4 = Single Male4

3

54

0

0

Not found = 3

#50 1 st Foster Caretaker's Birth Year

3

45

0

2

Not found = 10

#51 2 nd Foster Caretaker's Birth Year

3

49

0

0

Not found = 8

#52 1 st Foster Caretaker's Race

a. American Indian or Alaska Native

3

40

0

4

0

1

Not found = 12

b. Asian

3

40

0

4

0

1

Not found = 12

c. Black or African American

3

40

0

4

0

1

Not found = 12

d. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

3

40

0

4

0

1

Not found = 12

e. White

3

39

0

5

0

1

Not found = 12

f. Unable to Determine

3

39

0

5

0

1

Not found = 12

#53 1 st Foster Caretaker's Hispanic Origin

3

41

0

5

Not found = 11

#54 2 nd Foster Caretaker's Race

a. American Indian or Alaska Native

3

49

0

2

Not found = 6

b. Asian

3

49

0

2

Not found = 6

c. Black or African American

3

49

0

2

Not found = 6

d. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

3

49

0

2

Not found = 6

e. White

3

49

0

2

Not found = 6

f. Unable to Determine

3

49

0

2

Not found = 6

#55 2 nd Foster Caretaker's Hispanic Origin

3

49

0

2

Not found = 6

#56 Date of Discharge

1

52

2

4

One error case indicated a discharge date prior to the report period and the reviewer found a different date (also prior to the report period). The other case was marked in error because the child turned 18 during the report period and this should have been her discharge date.

Not found = 1

One error case had a discharge date of March 31, 2005.

#58 Reason for Discharge

0 = Not Applicable

1 = Reunification with Parent(s) or Primary Caretaker(s)

2 = Living with Other Relative(s)

3 = Adoption

4 = Emancipation

5 = Guardianship

6 = Transfer to Another Agency

7 = Runaway

8 = Death of Child

1

52

2

4

Not found = 1

There were two errors with an outcome of adoption. One child was discharged to the Division of Youth Services.

#59 Title IVE Foster Care

Not analyzed

#60 Title IV-E Adoption

Not analyzed

#61 Title IV-A AFDC

Not analyzed

#62 Title IV-D Child Support

Not analyzed

#63 Title XIX Medicaid

Not analyzed

#64 SSI

Not analyzed

#65 None of the Above

Not analyzed

#66 Monthly Amount

Not analyzed

#4 State Agency Involvement

1 = Yes

2 = No

29

#5 Child Date of Birth

29

#6 Child Sex

1 = Male

2 = Female

29

#7 Child Race

a. American Indian or Alaska Native

b. Asian

c. Black or African American

d. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

e. White

f. Unable to Determine

29

#8 Child Hispanic Origin

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unable to Determine

29

#9 Has Agency Determined Special Needs

29

#10 Primary Basis for Determining Special Needs

0 = Not Applicable

1 = Racial/Original Background

2 = Age

3 = Membership in a Sibling Group

4 = Medical Conditions or Mental, Physical or Emotional Disabilities

5 = Other

26

1

2

In the two questionable cases, the AFCARS data was “other.” However, the reviewer found other bases and it was not clear which was the biggest barrier to the child’s adoption.

#11 Mental Retardation

29

#12 Visually/Hearing Impaired

29

#13 Physically Disabled

29

#14 Emotionally Disturbed

28

1

#15 Other Diagnosed Condition

29

#16 Mother's Birth Year

29

#17 Father's Birth Year

25

3

Not found = 1

#18 Mother Married at Time of Birth

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unable to Determine

28

1

#19 Date of Mother's TPR

28

Not found = 1

#20 Date of Father's TPR

26

2

Not found = 1

#21 Date Adoption Legalized

28

Not found = 1

#22 Adoptive Family Structure

1 = Married Couple

2 = Unmarried Couple

3 = Single Female

4 = Single Male

28

Not found = 1

#23 Adoptive Mother's Year of Birth

28

Not found = 1

#24 Adoptive Father's Year of Birth

28

Not found = 1

#25 Adoptive Mother's Race

28

Not found = 1

#26 Adoptive Mother's Hispanic Origin

28

Not found = 1

#27 Adoptive Father's Race

28

Not found = 1

#28 Adoptive Father's Hispanic Origin

28

Not found = 1

#29 Relationship of Adoptive Parent to Child - Stepparent

28

Not found = 1

#30 Relationship of Adoptive Parent to Child - Other Relative

27

1

Not found = 1

#31 Relationship of Adoptive Parent to Child - Foster Parent

28

Not found = 1

#32 Relationship of Adoptive Parent to Child - Other Non-Relative

23

5

Not found = 1

#33 Child Was Placed from

1 = Within State

2 = Another State

3 = Another Country

28

Not found = 1

#34 Child Was Placed by

1 = Public Agency

2 = Private Agency

3 = Tribal Agency

4 = Independent Person

5 = Birth Parent

28

Not found = 1

#35 Receiving Monthly Subsidy

28

Not found = 1

#36 Monthly Amount

17

12

#37 Adoption Assistance

23

6