AFCARS Data Element

Paper file and AFCARS match

Paper file and AFCARS does not match

Questionable

Comments/Findings

#5 Most Recent Periodic Review Date

72

1

2

Not found = 3

#6 Child Birth Date

78

0

1

#7 Child Sex

1 = Male

2 = Female

78

0

0

#8 Child Race:

a. American Indian or Alaska Native

76

2

0

In the error cases, the data reported to AFCARS indicated “no,” but the reviewer found that the child was “American Indian” in addition to the race reported to AFCARS.

b. Asian

77

0

0

Not found = 1

c. Black or African American

77

0

0

Not found = 1

d. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

78

0

0

e. White

74

4

0

In the error cases, the data reported to AFCARS indicated “no,” but the reviewer found that the child was “white.” This was in addition to another race that was reported to AFCARS.

f. Unable to Determine

78

0

0

#9 Child Hispanic Origin

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unable to Determine

74

3

0

Not found = 1

In two of the records the response in AFCARS was “no,” but the reviewer indicated the response should have been “yes.”

In the other error case, the response was “yes” and it should have been “no.”

#10 Has Child Been Diagnosed with Disability?

56

20

2

Two of the errors were reported as “yes” and the reviewer indicated the child had no health conditions. There were two cases reported as “not yet determined.” One should have been “no” and the other “yes.”

#11 Mental Retardation

76

0

2

#12 Visually/Hearing Impaired

73

3

2

The three error cases were reported as “applies” and the reviewer indicated that the “condition does not apply.”

#13 Physically Disabled

76

0

2

#14 Emotionally Disturbed

60

16

2

All but two of the error cases should have been reported as “applies.”

#15 Other Diagnosed Condition

69

7

2

All of the error cases should have been reported as “applies.”

#16 Has Child Ever Been Adopted?

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unable to Determine

78

0

0

#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

78

0

0

#18 Date of First Removal from Home

69

7

0

Not found = 2

Of the error cases, two were incorrect because on the date reported to AFCARS as the date of first removal, the agency did not have care and placement of the child. This also resulted in errors in elements #19 and #20. The number of removals should have been one, not two, and the date of discharge should have been blank.

In four error cases, the reviewer found an additional removal, which was prior to the one reported for this element. The number of removals (#19) was also incorrect. There should have been one additional removal.

In one error case, the reviewer indicates the date reported was incorrect and the actual date of first removal was later than what was submitted.

#19 Total Number of Removals from Home

68

8

0

Not found = 2

In two of the error cases, on the date reported to AFCARS as the date of first removal, the agency did not have care and placement of the child. The number of removals should have been one not two.

In four error cases, the number of removals was incorrect because there was an additional removal.

#20 Date of Discharge from Previous Episode

67

9

0

Not found = 2

There were three records with incorrectly reported dates of discharge from the last removal episode. All were after the dates reported to AFCARS. The dates of discharge may have represented the date the child was placed back into his/her own home instead of the court discharged date or six months later, whichever would have occurred first.

Two error cases were incorrect because the agency did not have care and placement of the child on the date reported to AFCARS as the date of first removal. The date of discharge should have been blank.

In two error cases, the reviewer found that the last date of discharge was actually later than the one reported to AFCARS.

In another error case, there should have been a date of discharge from a previous episode (the child had two removals versus one as reported in AFCARS).

#21 Date of Latest Removal

73

4

0

Not found = 1

#23 Date of Placement in Current Setting

67

9

0

Not found =2

The reviewers found dates that were both earlier and later than the date reported to AFCARS.

#24 Number of Previous Placement Settings in This Episode

60

17

0

Not found =1

In seven of the error cases, the reviewer indicated the child’s number of placements was less than what was reported in AFCARS.

In ten of the error cases, the reviewer indicated the child’s number of placements was more than what was reported in AFCARS.

#25 Manner of Removal From Home for This Episode

1 = Voluntary

2 = Court Ordered

3 = Not Yet Determined

77

1

0

#26 Physical Abuse

76

2

0

The reviewer found this circumstance was associated with the child’s removal.

#27 Sexual Abuse

76

2

0

The reviewer found this circumstance was associated with the child’s removal.

#28 Neglect

63

15

0

The reviewer found this circumstance was associated with the child’s removal.

#29 Parent Alcohol Abuse

55

23

0

The reviewer found this circumstance was associated with the child’s removal.

#30 Parent Drug Abuse

69

9

0

The reviewer found this circumstance was associated with the child’s removal.

#31 Child Alcohol Abuse

74

4

0

The reviewer found this circumstance was associated with the child’s removal in one of the error cases. In three cases, it was marked as “applies,” and the reviewer indicated it did not apply.

#32 Child Drug Abuse

78

0

0

#33 Child Disability

78

0

0

#34 Child's Behavior Problem

74

4

0

The reviewer found this circumstance was associated with the child’s removal in three of the error cases. In the other case, it was marked as applies and the reviewer indicated it did not apply.

#35 Death of Parent

78

0

0

#36 Incarceration of Parent

69

9

0

The reviewer found this circumstance was associated with the child’s removal.

#37 Caretaker Inability to Cope

74

4

0

The reviewer found this circumstance was associated with the child’s removal.

#38 Abandonment

74

4

0

The reviewer found this circumstance was associated with the child’s removal.

#39 Relinquishment

78

0

0

#40 Inadequate Housing

73

5

0

The reviewer found this circumstance was associated with the child’s removal.

#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

62

14

0

Not found =2

In one of the cases listed as “not found,” the child was placed with Lutheran Family Services. The AFCARS data indicates the child was in a “foster family home, non-relative.” The AFCARS fields for foster parent information (elements #49 - 55) were missing information.

There were nine records that the current living arrangement was actually “trial home visit.”

One record should have been reported as “supervised independent living.” (This child was placed through an agency the State contracts with for placement services.)

Four were incorrectly reported as “group home.”

#42 Out of State Placement

74

3

0

Not found =1

#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

51

26

0

Not found =1

#44 Caretaker Family Structure

1 = Married Couple

2 = Unmarried Couple

3 = Single Female

4 = Single Male

5 = Unable to Determine

59

19

0

There were eight error cases reported to AFCARS as “unable to determine” and the reviewer found the family structure. In six of these cases, there were dates of birth reported in AFCARS for elements #45 and #46. In two of the cases, there was a date of birth for element #45 and the caretaker was a “single female.”

#45 1 st Primary Caretaker's Birth Year

67

11

0

#46 2 nd Primary Caretaker's Birth Year

61

16

0

Not found =1

There were eleven cases where either “single male” or “single female” were reported for element #44 and there was a date of birth reported for this element.

#47 Mother's Date of TPR

71

5

1

Not found =1

#48 Father's Date of TPR

73

5

0

#49 Foster Family Structure

0 = Not Applicable

1 = Married Couple

2 = Unmarried Couple

3 = Single Female

4 = Single Male

62

5

1

Not found =1

Nine records were not included in the analysis because the living arrangement found by the reviewer was “trial home visit.”

There was one record where the reviewer found that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was reported as missing to AFCARS.

There was one record that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was reported as missing, but the reviewer found the foster parents were a married couple.

#50 1 st Foster Caretaker's Birth Year

56

12

1

Nine records were not included in the analysis because the living arrangement found by the reviewer was “trial home visit.”

There are five records that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was either a single female or male, but no date of birth was reported for this element in AFCARS.

There are four records that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was either a married or unmarried couple, but there was no date of birth reported for this element in AFCARS.

One record was marked in error because the living arrangement was a foster family home, the family structure was reported as missing, and there was no date of birth reported.

There was one record that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was reported as missing, but the reviewer found the foster parents were a married couple and this information was also reported as blank.

#51 2 nd Foster Caretaker's Birth Year

61

6

2

Nine records were not included in the analysis because the living arrangement found by the reviewer was “trial home visit.”

There are four records that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was either a married or unmarried couple, but there was no date of birth reported for this element in AFCARS.

There was one record that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was reported as missing, but the reviewer found the foster parents were a married couple and this information was also reported as blank.

#52 1 st Foster Caretaker's Race

There are five records that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was either a single female or male, but there was no race information reported for this element in AFCARS.

There are four records that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was either a married or unmarried couple, but there was no race information reported for this element in AFCARS.

One record was marked in error for this element because the living arrangement was a foster family home, the family structure was reported as missing, and there was no race information reported either.

There was one record that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was reported as missing, but the reviewer found the foster parents were a married couple and this information was also reported as blank.

a. American Indian or Alaska Native

55

13

1

Nine records were not included in the analysis because the living arrangement found by the reviewer was “trial home visit.”

b. Asian

55

13

1

c. Black or African American

56

12

1

d. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

56

12

1

e. White

53

15

1

f. Unable to do determine

56

12

1

#53 1 st Foster Caretaker's Hispanic Origin

56

12

1

There are five records that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was either a single female or male, but there was no information on whether the individual was Hispanic/Latino.

There are four records that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was either a married or unmarried couple, but there was no information regarding Hispanic/Latino origin reported in AFCARS.

One record was marked in error for this element because the living arrangement was a foster family home, the family structure was reported as missing, and there was no information reported for Hispanic/Latino origin.

There was one record that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was reported as missing, but the reviewer found the foster parents were a married couple and this information was also reported as blank.

#54 2 nd Foster Caretaker's Race

There are four records that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was either a married or unmarried couple, but there was no race information reported for this element in AFCARS.

There was one record that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was reported as missing, but the reviewer found the foster parents were a married couple and this information was also reported as blank.

a. American Indian or Alaska Native

61

6

2

Nine records were not included in the analysis because the living arrangement found by the reviewer was “trial home visit.”

b. Asian

61

6

2

Nine records were not included in the analysis because the living arrangement found by the reviewer was “trial home visit.”

c. Black or African American

61

6

2

Nine records were not included in the analysis because the living arrangement found by the reviewer was “trial home visit.”

d. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

61

6

2

Nine records were not included in the analysis because the living arrangement found by the reviewer was “trial home visit.”

e. White

61

6

2

Nine records were not included in the analysis because the living arrangement found by the reviewer was “trial home visit.”

f. Unable to do determine

61

6

2

Nine records were not included in the analysis because the living arrangement found by the reviewer was “trial home visit.”

#55 2 nd Foster Caretaker's Hispanic Origin

61

6

2

Nine records were not included in the analysis because the living arrangement found by the reviewer was “trial home visit.”

There are four records that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was either a married or unmarried couple, but there was no information regarding Hispanic/Latino origin reported in AFCARS.

There was one record that the living arrangement was a foster family home and the family structure was reported as missing, but the reviewer found the foster parents were a married couple and this information was also reported as blank.

#56 Date of Discharge

75

2

1

#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

77

1

0

#4 State Agency Involvement

1 = Yes

2 = No

29

0

#5 Child Date of Birth

29

0

#6 Child Sex

1 = Male

2 = Female

29

0

#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

28

White = 1

Child was actually multi-racial.

#8 Child Hispanic Origin

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unable to Determine

28

1

#9 Has Agency Determined Special Needs

29

0

#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

29

0

Of the 29 cases reviewed, 21 of the responses were “other” in AFCARS

Response was “other” and reviewers found other circumstances:

Age and Native American = 2

Race/sibling group/medical conditions = 2

Sibling = 5

Age and sibling group = 1

Age/foster adopt/native American = 1

Race and sibling group = 3

Medical condition and sibling = 1

Medical condition = 2

Race and medical condition = 1

Age = 1

Response was “sibling group” and reviewers found other circumstances:

Age = 1

#11 Mental Retardation

29

0

#12 Visually/Hearing Impaired

29

0

#13 Physically Disabled

29

0

#14 Emotionally Disturbed

29

0

#15 Other Diagnosed Condition

29

0

#16 Mother's Birth Year

29

0

#17 Father's Birth Year

27

2

#18 Mother Married at Time of Birth

1 = Yes

2 = No

3 = Unable to Determine

24

3

Not found = 2

#19 Date of Mother's TPR

27

2

#20 Date of Father's TPR

27

2

#21 Date Adoption Legalized

29

0

#22 Adoptive Family Structure

1 = Married Couple

2 = Unmarried Couple

3 = Single Female

4 = Single Male

28

1

#23 Adoptive Mother's Year of Birth

29

0

#24 Adoptive Father's Year of Birth

27

1

Not found = 1

#25 Adoptive Mother's Race

28

2

Parents were multi-racial and it was not marked in the system.

#26 Adoptive Mother's Hispanic Origin

29

0

#27 Adoptive Father's Race

28

0

1

#28 Adoptive Father's Hispanic Origin

27

0

Not found = 1

#29 Relationship of Adoptive Parent to Child - Stepparent

29

0

#30 Relationship of Adoptive Parent to Child - Other Relative

29

0

1

#31 Relationship of Adoptive Parent to Child - Foster Parent

21

7

1

In the error cases, all were reported in AFCARS as “does not apply,” but the reviewer indicated the adoptive parents were also foster parents. Five were also relatives and two were non-relatives.

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

24

5

In each of the error cases, AFCARS information indicated “does not apply.” The reviewer indicated that in addition to being a foster parent, the adoptive parents were non-relatives.

#33 Child Was Placed from

1 = Within State

2 = Another State

3 = Another Country

29

0

#34 Child Was Placed by

1 = Public Agency

2 = Private Agency

3 = Tribal Agency

4 = Independent Person

5 = Birth Parent

29

0

#35 Receiving Monthly Subsidy

28

0

Not found = 1

#36 Monthly Amount

27

0

Not found = 2

#37 Adoption Assistance

26

2

Not found = 1

Two error cases were reported as “no,” but the reviewer indicated the State is collecting title IV-E.