Add a date parameter that prevents dates of review from a prior removal episode from being extracted.

Develop, and implement, a plan to ensure accurate and timely entry of this information, including TYC cases.

Remove the link between "race" and "Hispanic/Latino Origin" for "unable to determine."

Add the option "unable to determine" to the screen for Hispanic/Latino origin.

Review and revise the method used to enter private agency providers' foster parent information, due to the high level of missing data on foster parents. Also, ensure that information on both foster parents (when applicable) is entered.

State is adding an edit to check for a diagnosed disability.

Revise the screen by adding "yes, no, or not yet determined" as options for workers to select.

Review the type of information that is recorded in the medical history Word document. If relevant information pertaining to diagnosed conditions is being recorded in the Word documents, implement a method that transfers that information to the database.

Re-evaluate the design of the screen capturing disability information. There are several options the State can consider. These include:

• Modify the "category selection list" by adding a category "medically diagnosed conditions." Under this category, list only the diagnosed conditions.
• At the time of the six-month case review, add a tickler/alert for the caseworker to verify that this information is accurate and up-to date. Or, add a field for the worker to note the last up-date to this information, and if the information has not be reviewed in six months, then a task alert could be sent to the worker. This option would best be combined with the first option.
• Add a "health" or "medical history" screen to record all information pertaining to the health of the child.

Add "diagnosed" after "Downs Syndrome" on the selection list and map to element #11.

Add additional conditions to replace "emotional disturbed."

Map the following to element #14: ADD/ADHD and eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia).

Remove the extraction of "24, enuresis" and do not include in AFCARS.

Map the following to element #15: "learning disabled" and "fetal alcohol syndrome."

Remove the option "34, health disabled" and replace with more accurate diagnosed conditions and map accordingly.

Since the disability information is carried forward to the adoption screens (if applicable) ensure that this data is up-to date and accurate.

This should be made a specific question on the screen for workers to answer in order to ensure the collection of non-agency adoptions, and the response "unable to determine."

Add a reminder for the Federal definition of "unable to determine."

Remove the program code initialization of "2, no."

Revise the screen and program code in order to record the age of the child when he or she was adopted.

Have workers correct and/or update the information on the title IV-E TYC youth in order to have the correct number of removals extracted for the AFCARS file. Evaluate the program code and explain why the number of removals is not being accurately reported when there are different dates of first and latest removal. Correct the program code.

The State needs to ensure that multiple case records for one child are merged to accurately collect the historical information pertaining to the number of removals.

Assess the accuracy of the data for this element due to children entering or re-entering care after a "trial home visit." If a child returns to foster care from a trial home visit during a specified period of time, or for non-specified periods before six months, then the number of removals remains the same. Have workers correct and/or update this information accordingly.

Correct program code to not extract the date a foster family moves or changes agencies if the child remains with the family.

Note: As of October 1, 2002 the State must enter the date when a child enters a "trial home visit" or runs away. The Children's Bureau added this policy to the Child Welfare Policy Manual on July 5, 2002 (see section 1.2B.4).

Map missing placement information to "blank."

Correct the program code to not count returns to the same foster home from "brief" stays as multiple placements.

Correct the program code to not count placements from a previous removal episode.

Correct the program code to not increment the placement count if a foster family changes child-placing agencies or if the foster family moves, if the child remains with the family.

Have supervisors ensure that all placements are entered into the electronic case record.

For situations where the agency receives placement, care or supervision of a child while the child is in the hospital, and the stay is for more than a "brief" time, include this in the count of placement settings.

Modify the system in order to allow this information to be entered on TYC youth.

Add program code for the extraction of information for element #33.

Map "emotional abuse" to "neglect," element #28.

Have supervisors ensure that all placements are entered into the electronic case record.

Remove the default "no" and map missing information to blank.

Map missing information to blank.

Add program code that will map "not yet established" to blank after 60 days.

Map missing data to blank.

Map "separated" to "married."

Include information on adoptive parents if a child enters foster care after having been adopted.

Map "07, separated female" to "married."

Map "09, separated male" to "married."

Modify program code to include the following condition: "If element #41 = 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, then element #49 = 0."

Review and revise the method used to enter private agency providers' foster parent information, due to the high level of missing data on foster parents.

Ensure entry of information on both foster parents (when applicable).

Remove the section in the program code enters a discharge date for children in their own homes for more then six months.

Include in the AFCARS report children that have been returned home for a specified period of time until the agency no longer has care, placement, or supervision.

Ensure that if there is a periodic review date that there is not a discharge date.

Ensure that youth up to the age of 19 are not automatically entered as having a discharge date. These youth may still be receiving a title IV-E foster care payment and if so, are to be included in the AFCARS population.

Add the AFCARS values "transfer to other agency" and "guardianship" to the program code and map accordingly.

The agency needs to identify to whom conservatorship is given and map it appropriately (i.e., a relative, another agency or guardianship). Modify the screens and program code to collect, map and extract this information.

The State may footnote that guardianships are relatives.

Add an alert when there is a discharge date but no discharge reason, and vice versa.

Ensure the accuracy of the data for youth that emancipated and for TYC youth that leave title IV-E eligible placements.

Map "emergency assistance" to this element.

Modify the program code to check if there are State funds, or other Federal funds or non-Federal funds, which are a source of support for the child. If they are then this element should be coded as applies, otherwise it would be marked as does not apply.

Do not include those children for whom there is no financial income.

Explain what the condition "null" in the program code and what date is entered for the date of latest removal for converted cases.

The accuracy of the data for this element may be affected by the State showing children as discharged, if home for more then six months while still under the care, placement or supervision of the State.

Ensure that information on title IV-E juvenile justice youth reflect the date the child entered a title IV-E eligible placement.

Remove the link between "race" and "Hispanic/Latino Origin" for "unable to determine." Allow the selection of "Hispanic/Latino" information if a person refuses to provide race information.

Add the option "unable to determine" to the screen for Hispanic/Latino origin.

Modify the system to prompt caseworkers to enter information on the adoptive parents' from the home study that is completed by private agencies.

Since disability information is carried forward from the foster care screens, ensure that workers verify that the information is current and accurate.

Add "diagnosed" after "Downs Syndrome" on the selection list and map "Downs Syndrome" to element #11.

Add additional conditions to replace "emotional disturbed."

Map the following to element #14: ADD/ADHD and eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia).

Remove the extraction of "24, enuresis" and do not include in AFCARS.

Map the following to element #15: "learning disabled" and "fetal alcohol syndrome."

Remove the option "34, health disabled" and replace with more accurate diagnosed conditions and map accordingly.

Map "separated" to blank.

Modify the system to prompt caseworkers to enter information on the adoptive parents' from the home study that is completed by private agencies. The web-based application will provide a screen to allow workers to enter adoptive family structure.

State only reports the cases where a payment is made.

Medicaid only subsidy cases are not being reported.