Resource Library

This technical bulletin provides agencies with information required to create the AFCARS data files.  It provides technical specifications on the structural layout of the XML data and shares the XML schema for the Out-of-Home Care File and the Adoption and Guardianship Assistance File.  It also covers information on encryption of the file records. This Technical Bulletin was last revised on October 10, 2023.

This technical bulletin gives reporting instructions and provides examples for the AFCARS 2020 out-of-home care and adoption and guardianship assistance data elements. The regulation for each element is shown in a blue box. Following the regulation language, CB provides explanatory text, examples, differences between AFCARS 1993 and AFCARS 2020, and data reporting standards. This Technical Bulletin was last revised on January 14, 2022.

This codebook shows the data elements included in a Child File submission, along with definitions, values, and technical guidance provided to states.

This is a presentation that provides an overview of the AFCARS 2019 NPRM and where to submit comments.

This guide describes the standard and specialized calls used in planning for a NYTD Review. It includes a general timeline for the calls, and the time frame, participants, and content discussed for each type of call.

This is a list of the Out-of-Home Care and Adoption and Guardianship Assistance data elements with their definitions as published in the AFCARS final rule issued on December 14, 2016 (81 FR 90524)

This is a list of the Out-of-Home Care and Adoption and Guardianship Assistance data elements with response options and regulatory citations as published in the AFCARS final rule issued on December 14, 2016

This is a side-by-side comparison of the AFCARS data elements published in the Appendix to 45 CFR part 1355 and the final rule issued on December 14, 2016 (81 FR 90524).

This is a brief presentation on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) soliciting comments and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing to provide an additional two fiscal years to comply with the AFCARS requirements in the December 2016 final rule that were published in the Federal Register on March 15, 2018.

This section includes resources for recruiting and training young people to serve as reviewers on the Federal Review Team for the NYTD Reviews.