Home > Statistics & Research > AFCARS Report - Final Estimates for FY 1998 through FY 2002 - October 2006
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau, www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb
The AFCARS Report
Final Estimates for FY 1998 through FY 2002 (12)
NOTES: For a description of the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) and a discussion of critical aspects of the system, see Note #1 in the Technical Notes section at the end of this report.
NOTE: For a description of the subpopulations in the graph above and in this report, see NOTE #2 in the Technical Notes section at the end of this report.
I. Children in foster care on September 30th
How many children were in foster care on September 30th of each year?
FY 1998 |
|
FY 1999 |
|
FY 2000 |
|
FY 2001 |
|
FY 2002 |
559,000 |
|
567,000 |
|
552,000 |
|
545,000 |
|
533,000 |
What were the ages of the children in foster care?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Mean Years |
9.6 |
9.9 |
10.0 |
10.1 |
10.2 |
Median Years |
9.6 |
10.1 |
10.4 |
10.6 |
10.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than 1 Year |
5% |
28,195 |
4% |
23,174 |
4% |
22,839 |
4% |
23,301 |
5% |
24,490 |
1 Year |
5% |
27,689 |
5% |
28,690 |
5% |
28,991 |
5% |
28,448 |
5% |
29,133 |
2 Years |
5% |
28,721 |
5% |
28,850 |
5% |
28,453 |
5% |
28,545 |
5% |
27,438 |
3 Years |
5% |
28,861 |
5% |
27,661 |
5% |
26,611 |
5% |
26,662 |
5% |
26,023 |
4 Years |
5% |
29,298 |
5% |
27,606 |
5% |
25,233 |
5% |
24,720 |
5% |
24,513 |
5 Years |
5% |
30,182 |
5% |
27,488 |
5% |
25,090 |
4% |
23,513 |
4% |
22,522 |
6 Years |
5% |
30,193 |
5% |
28,793 |
5% |
25,663 |
4% |
23,586 |
4% |
22,098 |
7 Years |
6% |
30,922 |
5% |
29,198 |
5% |
26,774 |
5% |
24,751 |
4% |
22,219 |
8 Years |
6% |
30,796 |
5% |
29,925 |
5% |
27,364 |
5% |
25,816 |
4% |
23,159 |
9 Years |
5% |
29,452 |
5% |
29,442 |
5% |
28,153 |
5% |
26,489 |
5% |
24,470 |
10 Years |
5% |
28,507 |
5% |
28,753 |
5% |
28,049 |
5% |
27,547 |
5% |
25,448 |
11 Years |
5% |
27,425 |
5% |
28,030 |
5% |
28,086 |
5% |
27,883 |
5% |
26,647 |
12 Years |
5% |
27,797 |
5% |
28,426 |
5% |
28,447 |
5% |
28,936 |
5% |
28,063 |
13 Years |
5% |
29,387 |
5% |
30,784 |
6% |
30,663 |
6% |
31,081 |
6% |
30,827 |
14 Years |
6% |
31,708 |
6% |
34,422 |
6% |
34,470 |
6% |
34,365 |
7% |
34,672 |
15 Years |
6% |
34,812 |
7% |
37,811 |
7% |
38,411 |
7% |
38,693 |
7% |
38,682 |
16 Years |
6% |
35,174 |
7% |
39,329 |
7% |
39,041 |
7% |
40,036 |
8% |
40,910 |
17 Years |
5% |
29,588 |
6% |
35,080 |
6% |
35,032 |
6% |
35,224 |
7% |
36,672 |
18 Years |
2% |
12,661 |
3% |
14,796 |
3% |
14,982 |
3% |
15,023 |
3% |
14,655 |
19 Years |
1% |
4,961 |
1% |
5,888 |
1% |
6,366 |
1% |
6,610 |
1% |
6,458 |
20 Years |
0% |
2,670 |
1% |
2,853 |
1% |
3,280 |
1% |
3,771 |
1% |
3,902 |
NOTE: For a discussion of why the age distribution is presented in this format, see NOTE #3 in the Technical Notes at the end of this report.
What were the placement settings of the children in foster care?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Pre-Adoptive Home |
3% |
15,289 |
3% |
19,776 |
4% |
22,124 |
4% |
21,409 |
5% |
25,340 |
Foster Family Home (Relative) |
28% |
158,611 |
26% |
147,255 |
25% |
138,143 |
24% |
133,149 |
24% |
125,955 |
Foster Family Home (Non-Relative) |
48% |
266,183 |
47% |
268,105 |
47% |
258,007 |
47% |
257,449 |
46% |
246,550 |
Group Home |
7% |
41,223 |
8% |
42,548 |
8% |
43,975 |
8% |
43,623 |
9% |
46,029 |
Institution |
9% |
49,849 |
11% |
60,234 |
10% |
55,833 |
10% |
56,369 |
10% |
54,884 |
Supervised Independent Living |
1% |
4,454 |
1% |
5,368 |
1% |
4,976 |
1% |
5,145 |
1% |
5,723 |
Runaway |
1% |
5,360 |
1% |
8,054 |
2% |
10,077 |
2% |
8,743 |
2% |
9,569 |
Trial Home Visit |
3% |
18,031 |
3% |
15,660 |
3% |
18,864 |
4% |
19,113 |
4% |
18,950 |
What were the lengths of stay in foster care?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Mean Months |
32.6 |
31.8 |
32.3 |
32.5 |
31.7 |
Median Months |
20.5 |
19.8 |
19.8 |
19.2 |
18.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than 1 Month |
4% |
21,320 |
4% |
23,955 |
4% |
23,194 |
4% |
22,899 |
4% |
23,943 |
1 to 5 Months |
16% |
87,213 |
16% |
92,941 |
16% |
87,892 |
17% |
92,382 |
18% |
94,547 |
6 to 11 Months |
15% |
85,855 |
15% |
83,885 |
15% |
83,713 |
15% |
84,000 |
16% |
84,922 |
12 to 17 Months |
11% |
62,880 |
11% |
64,733 |
12% |
64,332 |
11% |
61,941 |
12% |
62,206 |
18 to 23 Months |
9% |
48,427 |
9% |
51,149 |
9% |
47,583 |
8% |
46,283 |
8% |
45,060 |
24 to 29 Months |
7% |
40,385 |
8% |
42,945 |
7% |
40,557 |
7% |
38,434 |
7% |
36,346 |
30 to 35 Months |
5% |
30,291 |
6% |
32,772 |
6% |
32,360 |
5% |
29,045 |
5% |
27,233 |
3 to 4 Years |
15% |
86,483 |
14% |
82,202 |
15% |
81,197 |
14% |
78,442 |
13% |
70,966 |
5 Years or More |
17% |
96,146 |
16% |
92,418 |
17% |
91,173 |
17% |
91,573 |
16% |
87,777 |
What were the case goals of the children in foster care?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Reunify with Parent(s) or Principal Caretaker(s) |
39% |
220,428 |
42% |
239,006 |
41% |
228,932 |
43% |
235,432 |
46% |
244,796 |
Live with Other Relative(s) |
3% |
19,230 |
4% |
23,327 |
4% |
22,961 |
5% |
28,182 |
5% |
26,905 |
Adoption |
20% |
114,148 |
20% |
114,203 |
21% |
114,125 |
22% |
117,818 |
21% |
110,983 |
Long Term Foster Care |
7% |
38,639 |
8% |
44,401 |
8% |
45,272 |
9% |
46,434 |
9% |
47,029 |
Emancipation |
5% |
29,913 |
6% |
33,745 |
6% |
33,691 |
6% |
34,527 |
6% |
34,024 |
Guardianship |
3% |
14,423 |
2% |
14,165 |
3% |
14,278 |
3% |
17,491 |
3% |
16,703 |
Case Plan Goal Not Yet Established |
22% |
122,219 |
17% |
98,153 |
17% |
92,742 |
12% |
65,117 |
10% |
52,559 |
What was the race/ethnicity of the children in foster care?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
AI/AN-Non Hispanic |
2% |
9,914 |
2% |
10,632 |
2% |
10,959 |
2% |
10,178 |
2% |
9,915 |
Asian-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1% |
4,370 |
1% |
3,686 |
1% |
3,434 |
Asian/PI-Non Hispanic |
1% |
5,967 |
1% |
5,865 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Hawaiian/ PI-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
0% |
1,565 |
0% |
1,489 |
0% |
1,470 |
Black -Non Hispanic |
43% |
240,166 |
38% |
214,364 |
39% |
217,615 |
38% |
205,074 |
37% |
195,425 |
Hispanic |
15% |
85,020 |
17% |
95,710 |
15% |
81,823 |
17% |
89,950 |
17% |
89,443 |
White-Non Hispanic |
35% |
194,130 |
35% |
196,098 |
38% |
207,970 |
38% |
205,549 |
39% |
205,769 |
Unknown/Unable to Determine |
4% |
22,140 |
7% |
41,221 |
4% |
19,656 |
3% |
17,192 |
3% |
14,399 |
Two or More Races-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1% |
8,043 |
2% |
11,881 |
2% |
13,145 |
Not Applicable |
0% |
1,662 |
1% |
3,110 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
NOTE: Using U.S. Bureau of the Census standards, children of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Beginning in FY 2000, children could be identified with more than one race designation. For further discussion of this change, see NOTE #4 in the Technical Notes section at the end of this report.
What was the gender of the children in foster care?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Male |
52% |
289,544 |
52% |
296,793 |
52% |
289,187 |
52% |
285,505 |
52% |
279,457 |
Female |
48% |
269,456 |
48% |
270,207 |
48% |
262,813 |
48% |
259,495 |
48% |
253,543 |
II. Children Entering Foster Care
How many children entered foster care during each year?
FY 1998 |
|
FY 1999 |
|
FY 2000 |
|
FY 2001 |
|
FY 2002 |
299,000 |
|
293,000 |
|
293,000 |
|
296,000 |
|
303,000 |
What were the ages of the children who entered care during each year?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Mean Years |
8.6 |
8.6 |
8.6 |
8.6 |
8.5 |
Median Years |
8.5 |
8.7 |
8.8 |
8.7 |
8.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than 1 Year |
14% |
41,332 |
13% |
37,511 |
13% |
37,996 |
13% |
38,453 |
13% |
40,714 |
1 Year |
6% |
16,801 |
6% |
16,927 |
6% |
17,336 |
6% |
17,867 |
6% |
18,745 |
2 Years |
5% |
15,641 |
5% |
15,100 |
5% |
15,410 |
6% |
16,326 |
6% |
16,708 |
3 Years |
5% |
14,394 |
5% |
13,969 |
5% |
13,861 |
5% |
14,637 |
5% |
15,362 |
4 Years |
5% |
14,109 |
5% |
13,592 |
4% |
12,937 |
4% |
13,288 |
5% |
13,892 |
5 Years |
5% |
14,107 |
5% |
13,385 |
4% |
12,821 |
4% |
12,742 |
4% |
13,306 |
6 Years |
5% |
13,993 |
5% |
13,467 |
4% |
13,059 |
4% |
12,712 |
4% |
12,520 |
7 Years |
5% |
13,540 |
5% |
13,373 |
4% |
12,834 |
4% |
12,657 |
4% |
12,363 |
8 Years |
4% |
12,996 |
4% |
12,871 |
4% |
12,603 |
4% |
12,542 |
4% |
12,269 |
9 Years |
4% |
11,950 |
4% |
12,464 |
4% |
12,683 |
4% |
12,489 |
4% |
12,278 |
10 Years |
4% |
11,472 |
4% |
11,745 |
4% |
12,167 |
4% |
12,464 |
4% |
12,463 |
11 Years |
4% |
11,579 |
4% |
11,624 |
4% |
11,977 |
4% |
12,549 |
4% |
12,726 |
12 Years |
5% |
13,498 |
5% |
13,214 |
5% |
13,575 |
5% |
13,921 |
5% |
13,996 |
13 Years |
6% |
16,635 |
6% |
16,908 |
6% |
16,726 |
6% |
16,662 |
6% |
17,201 |
14 Years |
7% |
20,411 |
7% |
20,498 |
7% |
21,118 |
7% |
20,205 |
7% |
20,799 |
15 Years |
8% |
23,736 |
8% |
23,131 |
8% |
23,159 |
8% |
23,324 |
8% |
23,192 |
16 Years |
7% |
20,243 |
7% |
20,351 |
7% |
20,086 |
7% |
20,250 |
7% |
21,225 |
17 Years |
4% |
11,330 |
4% |
11,685 |
4% |
11,614 |
4% |
11,890 |
4% |
12,210 |
18 Years |
0% |
960 |
0% |
919 |
0% |
803 |
0% |
846 |
0% |
820 |
19 Years |
0% |
182 |
0% |
177 |
0% |
157 |
0% |
143 |
0% |
156 |
20 Years |
0% |
91 |
0% |
88 |
0% |
77 |
0% |
31 |
0% |
54 |
NOTE: For a discussion of why the age distribution is presented in this format, see NOTE #3 in the Technical Notes at the end of this report.
What was the race/ethnicity of the children who entered care during each year?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
AI/AN-Non Hispanic |
3% |
7,519 |
3% |
7,678 |
3% |
7,958 |
2% |
7,395 |
2% |
6,890 |
Asian-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1% |
3,565 |
1% |
2,984 |
1% |
2,854 |
Asian/PI-Non Hispanic |
2% |
5,032 |
1% |
4,361 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Hawaiian/ PI-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
0% |
947 |
0% |
1,086 |
0% |
1,115 |
Black -Non Hispanic |
30% |
88,861 |
27% |
79,128 |
29% |
84,460 |
28% |
83,718 |
28% |
83,777 |
Hispanic |
16% |
48,445 |
16% |
46,828 |
15% |
42,769 |
16% |
47,542 |
17% |
51,472 |
White-Non Hispanic |
45% |
133,832 |
42% |
123,901 |
46% |
136,214 |
46% |
137,226 |
46% |
140,003 |
Unknown/Unable to Determine |
5% |
13,923 |
10% |
28,797 |
4% |
11,725 |
3% |
8,758 |
3% |
8,490 |
Two or More Races-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
2% |
5,362 |
2% |
7,292 |
3% |
8,399 |
Not Applicable |
0% |
1,387 |
1% |
2,307 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
NOTE: Using U.S. Bureau of the Census standards, children of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Beginning in FY 2000, children could be identified with more than one race designation. For further discussion of this change, see NOTE #4 in the Technical Notes section at the end of this report.
III. Children Exiting Foster Care
How many children exited foster care during each year?
FY 1998 |
|
FY 1999 |
|
FY 2000 |
|
FY 2001 |
|
FY 2002 |
257,000 |
|
250,000 |
|
272,000 |
|
269,000 |
|
282,000 |
What were the ages of the children who exited care during each year?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Mean Years |
10.3 |
10.3 |
10.2 |
10.1 |
10.1 |
Median Years |
10.3 |
10.3 |
10.2 |
10.1 |
10.2 |
Less than 1 Year |
4% |
11,427 |
4% |
10,156 |
4% |
11,025 |
4% |
11,555 |
4% |
12,159 |
1 Year |
5% |
12,059 |
5% |
12,475 |
5% |
13,867 |
5% |
14,783 |
6% |
16,190 |
2 Years |
5% |
13,786 |
5% |
13,349 |
6% |
15,210 |
6% |
15,951 |
6% |
17,273 |
3 Years |
5% |
14,132 |
5% |
13,303 |
5% |
14,826 |
6% |
15,020 |
6% |
16,118 |
4 Years |
5% |
13,628 |
5% |
12,862 |
5% |
13,615 |
5% |
13,775 |
5% |
14,480 |
5 Years |
5% |
13,297 |
5% |
12,673 |
5% |
13,149 |
5% |
12,772 |
5% |
13,322 |
6 Years |
5% |
12,930 |
5% |
12,306 |
5% |
13,275 |
5% |
12,528 |
4% |
12,625 |
7 Years |
5% |
12,538 |
5% |
12,009 |
5% |
13,026 |
5% |
12,274 |
4% |
12,345 |
8 Years |
5% |
11,694 |
5% |
11,695 |
5% |
12,747 |
5% |
12,284 |
4% |
12,431 |
9 Years |
4% |
10,810 |
4% |
10,935 |
5% |
12,634 |
4% |
12,042 |
4% |
12,103 |
10 Years |
4% |
9,989 |
4% |
10,153 |
4% |
11,546 |
4% |
11,665 |
4% |
11,909 |
11 Years |
4% |
9,278 |
4% |
9,592 |
4% |
10,838 |
4% |
11,073 |
4% |
11,592 |
12 Years |
4% |
9,706 |
4% |
9,388 |
4% |
10,704 |
4% |
10,984 |
4% |
11,803 |
13 Years |
4% |
11,354 |
4% |
10,859 |
4% |
11,858 |
4% |
11,728 |
4% |
12,410 |
14 Years |
5% |
13,865 |
5% |
13,223 |
5% |
14,666 |
5% |
13,968 |
5% |
14,685 |
15 Years |
7% |
17,186 |
7% |
16,322 |
6% |
17,484 |
6% |
17,452 |
6% |
17,280 |
16 Years |
7% |
18,749 |
7% |
18,123 |
7% |
19,182 |
7% |
18,436 |
7% |
19,098 |
17 Years |
7% |
18,769 |
8% |
21,079 |
7% |
19,770 |
6% |
17,408 |
7% |
21,042 |
18 Years |
6% |
15,377 |
6% |
13,933 |
6% |
17,385 |
7% |
18,308 |
6% |
16,560 |
19 Years |
2% |
3,947 |
1% |
3,430 |
1% |
3,369 |
1% |
3,050 |
1% |
3,776 |
20 Years |
1% |
2,479 |
1% |
2,136 |
1% |
1,825 |
1% |
1,944 |
1% |
2,801 |
NOTE: For a discussion of why the age distribution is presented in this format, see NOTE #3 in the Technical Notes at the end of this report.
What was the race/ethnicity of the children who exited care during each year?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
AI/AN-Non Hispanic |
2% |
5,911 |
3% |
6,386 |
2% |
6,520 |
2% |
6,579 |
2% |
6,331 |
Asian-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1% |
3,307 |
1% |
2,714 |
1% |
2,757 |
Asian/PI-Non Hispanic |
2% |
4,227 |
2% |
3,771 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Hawaiian/ PI-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
0% |
1,006 |
0% |
1,037 |
0% |
977 |
Black -Non Hispanic |
32% |
82,666 |
29% |
72,128 |
31% |
84,065 |
30% |
81,356 |
30% |
84,698 |
Hispanic |
15% |
39,295 |
16% |
38,952 |
15% |
39,909 |
15% |
41,307 |
16% |
45,236 |
White-Non Hispanic |
44% |
112,449 |
41% |
103,472 |
45% |
121,322 |
45% |
120,025 |
45% |
125,786 |
Unknown/Unable to Determine |
4% |
11,255 |
10% |
23,813 |
4% |
11,844 |
4% |
9,676 |
3% |
8,702 |
Two or More Races-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1% |
4,026 |
2% |
6,306 |
3% |
7,513 |
Not Applicable |
0% |
1,197 |
1% |
1,478 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
NOTE: Using U.S. Bureau of the Census standards, children of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Beginning in FY 2000, children could be identified with more than one race designation. For further discussion of this change see NOTE #4 in the Technical Notes section at the end of this report.
What were the lengths of stay of the children who exited foster care during each year?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Mean Months |
22.3 |
22.1 |
22.7 |
21.5 |
21.7 |
Median Months |
11.2 |
11.6 |
12.0 |
11.5 |
11.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than 1 Month |
20% |
52,200 |
20% |
50,380 |
19% |
51,852 |
20% |
53,164 |
19% |
53,215 |
1 to 5 Months |
17% |
44,522 |
17% |
42,292 |
17% |
45,667 |
17% |
46,158 |
17% |
46,987 |
6 to 11 Months |
14% |
36,861 |
14% |
35,160 |
14% |
38,830 |
14% |
39,005 |
16% |
43,813 |
12 to 17 Months |
11% |
26,993 |
11% |
27,116 |
11% |
29,020 |
11% |
29,977 |
12% |
32,608 |
18 to 23 Months |
7% |
18,676 |
8% |
19,397 |
8% |
20,672 |
8% |
21,259 |
8% |
22,614 |
24 to 29 Months |
5% |
13,420 |
6% |
14,176 |
6% |
16,243 |
6% |
15,414 |
6% |
16,961 |
30 to 35 Months |
4% |
10,779 |
4% |
10,784 |
5% |
13,030 |
5% |
12,163 |
4% |
12,618 |
3 to 4 Years |
11% |
27,561 |
11% |
26,525 |
11% |
29,854 |
11% |
28,357 |
10% |
28,627 |
5 Years or More |
10% |
25,988 |
10% |
24,171 |
10% |
26,832 |
9% |
23,502 |
9% |
24,557 |
What were the outcomes for the children exiting foster care during each year?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Reunification with Parent(s) or Primary Caretaker(s) |
60% |
155,267 |
58% |
145,341 |
57% |
156,050 |
57% |
154,645 |
56% |
158,597 |
Living with Other Relative(s) |
9% |
24,194 |
10% |
24,019 |
10% |
25,896 |
10% |
26,724 |
10% |
28,888 |
Adoption |
15% |
38,221 |
17% |
41,692 |
17% |
47,040 |
17% |
46,778 |
18% |
51,124 |
Emancipation |
7% |
17,310 |
8% |
18,964 |
7% |
20,172 |
7% |
19,039 |
7% |
20,358 |
Guardianship |
2% |
5,916 |
3% |
6,713 |
3% |
9,043 |
3% |
8,325 |
4% |
10,535 |
Transfer to Another Agency |
3% |
8,300 |
3% |
7,335 |
3% |
7,461 |
3% |
7,765 |
3% |
7,052 |
Runaway |
3% |
7,203 |
2% |
5,381 |
2% |
5,752 |
2% |
5,180 |
2% |
4,893 |
Death of Child |
0% |
589 |
0% |
555 |
0% |
586 |
0% |
545 |
0% |
553 |
NOTE: “Emancipation” includes children who are legally emancipated as well as those children who age out of the system. NOTE: Deaths are attributable to a variety of causes including medical conditions, accidents and homicide. Emancipation includes children who are legally emancipated and children who age out of the system.
IV. Children Waiting to be Adopted
NOTE: See NOTE #2 in the Technical Notes section at the end of this report for the definition of waiting children.
How many children were waiting to be adopted on September 30th of each year?
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
125,000 |
130,000 |
131,000 |
129,000 |
124,000 |
What is the gender distribution of the waiting children?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Male |
52% |
64,974 |
52% |
67,869 |
52% |
68,620 |
52% |
67,717 |
53% |
65,426 |
Female |
48% |
60,026 |
48% |
62,131 |
48% |
62,380 |
48% |
61,283 |
47% |
58,574 |
What is the racial/ethnic distribution of the waiting children?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
AI/AN-Non Hispanic |
2% |
1,912 |
2% |
2,227 |
2% |
2,200 |
2% |
2,157 |
2% |
2,116 |
Asian-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1% |
664 |
0% |
522 |
0% |
524 |
Asian/PI-Non Hispanic |
1% |
835 |
1% |
976 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Hawaiian/ PI-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
0% |
434 |
0% |
401 |
0% |
334 |
Black -Non Hispanic |
53% |
65,944 |
42% |
55,148 |
44% |
57,345 |
44% |
56,397 |
42% |
52,051 |
Hispanic |
10% |
12,908 |
15% |
18,852 |
13% |
17,050 |
12% |
15,837 |
13% |
16,117 |
White-Non Hispanic |
29% |
36,358 |
32% |
41,969 |
34% |
44,898 |
35% |
44,778 |
36% |
44,675 |
Unknown/Unable to Determine |
5% |
6,325 |
8% |
9,761 |
5% |
6,133 |
4% |
5,717 |
4% |
4,679 |
Two or More Races-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
2% |
2,277 |
2% |
3,191 |
3% |
3,505 |
Not Applicable |
1% |
718 |
1% |
1,067 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
NOTE: Using U.S. Bureau of the Census standards, children of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Beginning in FY 2000, children could be identified with more than one race designation. Beginning in FY 2000, children could be identified with more than one race designation. For further discussion of this change, see NOTE #4 in the Technical Notes section at the end of this report.
How old were the waiting children when they were removed from home?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Mean Years |
4.1 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
Median Years |
3.2 |
3.5 |
3.7 |
3.9 |
4.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than 1 Year |
29% |
36,114 |
27% |
35,743 |
26% |
34,507 |
26% |
33,157 |
25% |
30,569 |
1 Year |
10% |
12,650 |
10% |
12,602 |
9% |
12,255 |
9% |
11,661 |
9% |
10,791 |
2 Years |
9% |
11,380 |
9% |
11,385 |
8% |
10,983 |
8% |
10,423 |
8% |
9,641 |
3 Years |
8% |
10,322 |
8% |
10,241 |
8% |
10,182 |
7% |
9,525 |
7% |
8,946 |
4 Years |
8% |
9,626 |
8% |
9,898 |
7% |
9,677 |
7% |
9,318 |
7% |
8,676 |
5 Years |
7% |
8,963 |
7% |
9,478 |
7% |
9,422 |
7% |
9,046 |
7% |
8,655 |
6 Years |
6% |
7,872 |
7% |
8,531 |
7% |
8,810 |
7% |
8,686 |
7% |
8,461 |
7 Years |
5% |
6,753 |
6% |
7,506 |
6% |
7,966 |
6% |
7,995 |
6% |
7,998 |
8 Years |
5% |
5,642 |
5% |
6,369 |
5% |
6,917 |
5% |
7,094 |
6% |
7,138 |
9 Years |
4% |
4,687 |
4% |
5,403 |
4% |
5,786 |
5% |
6,188 |
5% |
6,274 |
10 Years |
3% |
3,628 |
3% |
4,150 |
4% |
4,693 |
4% |
5,120 |
4% |
5,432 |
11 Years |
2% |
2,613 |
2% |
3,144 |
3% |
3,568 |
3% |
3,870 |
3% |
4,087 |
12 Years |
2% |
1,936 |
2% |
2,315 |
2% |
2,612 |
2% |
2,902 |
2% |
3,053 |
13 Years |
1% |
1,262 |
1% |
1,524 |
1% |
1,712 |
2% |
1,939 |
2% |
2,150 |
14 Years |
1% |
836 |
1% |
934 |
1% |
1,134 |
1% |
1,209 |
1% |
1,273 |
15 Years |
0% |
491 |
0% |
524 |
0% |
522 |
0% |
643 |
0% |
594 |
16 Years |
0% |
187 |
0% |
199 |
0% |
212 |
0% |
182 |
0% |
224 |
17 Years |
0% |
39 |
0% |
54 |
0% |
41 |
0% |
44 |
0% |
38 |
NOTE: For a discussion of why the age distribution is presented in this format, see NOTE #3 in the Technical Notes at the end of this report.
How old were the waiting children on September 30th of each year?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Mean Years |
7.8 |
7.8 |
8.1 |
8.2 |
8.5 |
Median Years |
7.5 |
7.6 |
8.0 |
8.2 |
8.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than 1 Year |
3% |
3,946 |
3% |
4,413 |
3% |
3,957 |
3% |
4,473 |
3% |
4,193 |
1 Year |
6% |
7,167 |
6% |
8,184 |
6% |
8,062 |
6% |
8,265 |
6% |
7,972 |
2 Years |
7% |
8,682 |
7% |
9,448 |
7% |
9,491 |
7% |
9,050 |
7% |
8,519 |
3 Years |
7% |
8,875 |
7% |
9,413 |
7% |
9,131 |
7% |
8,868 |
7% |
8,164 |
4 Years |
8% |
9,452 |
7% |
9,119 |
7% |
8,819 |
6% |
8,274 |
6% |
7,929 |
5 Years |
8% |
9,756 |
7% |
9,153 |
7% |
8,623 |
6% |
7,844 |
6% |
7,343 |
6 Years |
8% |
9,567 |
7% |
9,574 |
7% |
8,653 |
6% |
7,822 |
6% |
7,088 |
7 Years |
8% |
9,572 |
7% |
9,400 |
7% |
9,067 |
6% |
8,021 |
6% |
7,119 |
8 Years |
8% |
9,425 |
7% |
9,514 |
7% |
9,212 |
7% |
8,473 |
6% |
7,429 |
9 Years |
7% |
8,841 |
7% |
9,180 |
7% |
9,135 |
7% |
8,734 |
6% |
7,784 |
10 Years |
7% |
8,237 |
6% |
8,409 |
7% |
8,913 |
7% |
8,591 |
6% |
8,056 |
11 Years |
6% |
7,305 |
6% |
7,744 |
6% |
8,178 |
7% |
8,391 |
7% |
8,085 |
12 Years |
5% |
6,456 |
5% |
6,848 |
6% |
7,579 |
6% |
7,855 |
6% |
7,838 |
13 Years |
4% |
5,499 |
5% |
6,004 |
5% |
6,787 |
6% |
7,105 |
6% |
7,316 |
14 Years |
4% |
4,607 |
4% |
5,053 |
4% |
5,812 |
5% |
6,281 |
6% |
6,829 |
15 Years |
3% |
3,768 |
3% |
4,264 |
4% |
4,787 |
4% |
5,460 |
5% |
5,988 |
16 Years |
2% |
2,342 |
2% |
2,559 |
2% |
2,990 |
3% |
3,378 |
3% |
3,869 |
17 Years |
1% |
1,503 |
1% |
1,721 |
1% |
1,803 |
2% |
2,113 |
2% |
2,480 |
NOTE: For a discussion of why the age distribution is presented in this format, see NOTE #3 in the Technical Notes at the end of this report.
How many months have the waiting children been in continuous foster care?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Mean Months |
45.1 |
42.8 |
43.5 |
43.4 |
43.7 |
Median Months |
37.4 |
34.1 |
35.1 |
34.3 |
34.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than 1 Month |
1% |
1,007 |
1% |
1,029 |
1% |
745 |
1% |
768 |
0% |
521 |
1 through 5 Months |
5% |
5,981 |
5% |
6,070 |
4% |
4,880 |
4% |
5,348 |
4% |
4,387 |
6 through 11 Months |
7% |
9,140 |
8% |
9,962 |
7% |
9,275 |
8% |
10,060 |
7% |
9,184 |
12 through 17 Months |
9% |
10,634 |
10% |
12,781 |
10% |
12,719 |
10% |
13,219 |
10% |
12,959 |
18 through 23 Months |
9% |
11,729 |
10% |
13,190 |
10% |
13,566 |
11% |
13,762 |
11% |
13,582 |
24 through 29 Months |
10% |
12,036 |
11% |
13,726 |
11% |
14,109 |
10% |
13,440 |
11% |
13,409 |
30 through 35 Months |
8% |
9,805 |
9% |
11,796 |
9% |
12,081 |
8% |
10,903 |
9% |
10,835 |
36 through 59 Months |
26% |
32,106 |
24% |
30,836 |
25% |
32,962 |
24% |
31,039 |
24% |
29,256 |
60 or more Months |
26% |
32,562 |
24% |
30,610 |
23% |
30,665 |
24% |
30,460 |
24% |
29,868 |
Where were the waiting children living on September 30 of each year?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Pre-Adoptive Home |
10% |
12,987 |
13% |
16,595 |
13% |
17,540 |
13% |
16,752 |
17% |
20,644 |
Foster Family Home (Relative) |
24% |
30,168 |
20% |
25,744 |
19% |
25,370 |
19% |
24,210 |
17% |
20,527 |
Foster Family Home (Non-Relative) |
58% |
72,356 |
59% |
76,699 |
58% |
75,993 |
59% |
75,502 |
56% |
68,926 |
Group Home |
3% |
3,505 |
3% |
3,397 |
3% |
3,858 |
3% |
4,183 |
4% |
4,737 |
Institution |
4% |
4,864 |
5% |
6,602 |
6% |
7,205 |
6% |
7,437 |
7% |
8,085 |
Supervised Independent Living |
0% |
93 |
0% |
97 |
0% |
94 |
0% |
81 |
0% |
74 |
Runaway |
0% |
380 |
0% |
447 |
0% |
514 |
0% |
446 |
0% |
582 |
Trial Home Visit |
1% |
647 |
0% |
419 |
0% |
426 |
0% |
389 |
0% |
425 |
How many children in foster care had their parental rights terminated for all living parents?
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
60,000 |
72,000 |
73,000 |
66,000 |
67,000 |
As of September 30 of each of the following years, how many months had elapsed since the parental rights of these foster children were terminated?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Mean Months |
22.1 |
20.5 |
21.5 |
23.6 |
25.1 |
Median Months |
12.8 |
12.0 |
13.5 |
14.8 |
15.7 |
V. Children Adopted with Public Agency Involvement
NOTE: For a discussion of this population, see NOTE #2 in the Technical Notes section at the end of this report. For a discussion of the relationship to of these numbers to the numbers of adoptions reported for the population exiting foster care, see NOTE #5.
How many children were adopted in each Fiscal Year?
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
37,000 |
47,000 |
51,000 |
51,000 |
53,000 |
What is the gender distribution of the children adopted?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Male |
51% |
18,730 |
50% |
23,462 |
50% |
25,472 |
50% |
25,639 |
50% |
26,591 |
Female |
49% |
18,270 |
50% |
23,538 |
50% |
25,528 |
50% |
25,361 |
50% |
26,409 |
What is the racial/ethnic distribution of the children adopted?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
AI/AN-Non Hispanic |
1% |
448 |
1% |
551 |
1% |
656 |
1% |
726 |
1% |
690 |
Asian-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
1% |
290 |
1% |
264 |
1% |
309 |
Asian/PI-Non Hispanic |
1% |
464 |
1% |
443 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Hawaiian/ PI-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
0% |
199 |
0% |
165 |
0% |
170 |
Black -Non Hispanic |
43% |
15,909 |
41% |
19,373 |
38% |
19,566 |
35% |
17,843 |
35% |
18,809 |
Hispanic |
13% |
4,652 |
14% |
6,750 |
15% |
7,430 |
17% |
8,492 |
16% |
8,607 |
White-Non Hispanic |
37% |
13,617 |
35% |
16,508 |
38% |
19,462 |
38% |
19,382 |
39% |
20,845 |
Unknown/Unable to Determine |
5% |
1,909 |
7% |
3,374 |
5% |
2,445 |
5% |
2,597 |
3% |
1,742 |
Two or More Races-Non Hispanic |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
2% |
951 |
3% |
1,531 |
3% |
1,828 |
Not Applicable |
0% |
1 |
0% |
1 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
NOTE: Using U.S. Bureau of the Census standards, children of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Beginning in FY 2000, children could be identified with more than one race designation. Beginning in FY 2000, children could be identified with more than one race designation. For further discussion of this change, see NOTE #4 in the Technical Notes section at the end of this report.
How old were the children when they were adopted?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Mean Years |
6.9 |
6.9 |
6.9 |
6.9 |
7.0 |
Median Years |
6.3 |
6.4 |
6.3 |
6.3 |
6.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than 1 Year |
2% |
612 |
2% |
856 |
2% |
939 |
2% |
979 |
2% |
1,011 |
1 Year |
6% |
2,151 |
7% |
3,212 |
7% |
3,614 |
8% |
3,861 |
8% |
4,314 |
2 Years |
9% |
3,384 |
10% |
4,537 |
10% |
5,169 |
11% |
5,427 |
11% |
5,855 |
3 Years |
11% |
3,916 |
10% |
4,748 |
10% |
5,269 |
10% |
5,260 |
10% |
5,463 |
4 Years |
10% |
3,817 |
10% |
4,506 |
9% |
4,661 |
9% |
4,706 |
9% |
4,757 |
5 Years |
10% |
3,578 |
9% |
4,164 |
9% |
4,422 |
8% |
4,183 |
8% |
4,023 |
6 Years |
9% |
3,297 |
8% |
3,966 |
8% |
4,071 |
8% |
3,835 |
7% |
3,740 |
7 Years |
8% |
3,060 |
8% |
3,694 |
8% |
3,837 |
7% |
3,630 |
7% |
3,543 |
8 Years |
7% |
2,720 |
7% |
3,433 |
7% |
3,565 |
7% |
3,471 |
6% |
3,360 |
9 Years |
6% |
2,388 |
7% |
3,075 |
7% |
3,413 |
6% |
3,247 |
6% |
3,283 |
10 Years |
6% |
2,060 |
6% |
2,677 |
6% |
2,945 |
6% |
2,922 |
6% |
2,999 |
11 Years |
4% |
1,659 |
5% |
2,205 |
5% |
2,427 |
5% |
2,502 |
5% |
2,726 |
12 Years |
3% |
1,262 |
4% |
1,810 |
4% |
2,000 |
4% |
2,078 |
4% |
2,355 |
13 Years |
3% |
1,050 |
3% |
1,352 |
3% |
1,561 |
3% |
1,580 |
3% |
1,781 |
14 Years |
2% |
772 |
2% |
1,039 |
2% |
1,169 |
2% |
1,183 |
3% |
1,436 |
15 Years |
1% |
541 |
2% |
774 |
2% |
789 |
2% |
881 |
2% |
1,009 |
16 Years |
1% |
365 |
1% |
507 |
1% |
589 |
1% |
672 |
1% |
723 |
17 Years |
1% |
250 |
1% |
307 |
1% |
385 |
1% |
426 |
1% |
462 |
18 Years |
0% |
85 |
0% |
101 |
0% |
129 |
0% |
107 |
0% |
124 |
19 Years |
0% |
25 |
0% |
28 |
0% |
23 |
0% |
28 |
0% |
23 |
20 Years |
0% |
8 |
0% |
9 |
0% |
23 |
0% |
20 |
0% |
11 |
NOTE: For a discussion of why the age distribution is presented in this format, see NOTE #3 in the Technical Notes at the end of this report.
How many months did it take after termination of parental rights for the children to be adopted?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Mean Months |
16.8 |
16.0 |
15.8 |
16.2 |
16.2 |
Median Months |
12.4 |
11.7 |
12.0 |
12.4 |
12.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less than 1 Month |
3% |
1,230 |
4% |
1,654 |
4% |
1,981 |
4% |
1,904 |
4% |
1,967 |
1 thru 5 Months |
16% |
5,849 |
18% |
8,520 |
18% |
8,988 |
17% |
8,752 |
18% |
9,786 |
6 thru 11 Months |
29% |
10,817 |
30% |
13,987 |
29% |
14,557 |
28% |
14,045 |
28% |
14,704 |
12 thru 17 Months |
20% |
7,318 |
19% |
8,959 |
20% |
10,410 |
20% |
10,138 |
19% |
10,218 |
18 thru 23 Months |
12% |
4,286 |
11% |
5,158 |
12% |
6,218 |
12% |
6,299 |
11% |
5,856 |
24 thru 29 Months |
7% |
2,544 |
6% |
2,998 |
6% |
3,178 |
7% |
3,805 |
7% |
3,668 |
30 thru 35 Months |
4% |
1,551 |
4% |
1,788 |
4% |
1,975 |
4% |
2,069 |
4% |
2,357 |
3 thru 4 Years |
7% |
2,495 |
6% |
2,872 |
5% |
2,665 |
6% |
3,019 |
6% |
3,348 |
5 Years or More |
2% |
910 |
2% |
1,063 |
2% |
1,028 |
2% |
968 |
2% |
1,095 |
What is the family structure of the child’s adoptive family?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Married Couple |
67% |
24,634 |
66% |
31,065 |
66% |
33,513 |
67% |
33,976 |
66% |
35,042 |
Unmarried Couple |
1% |
455 |
1% |
347 |
1% |
456 |
1% |
677 |
2% |
876 |
Single Female |
30% |
11,242 |
31% |
14,592 |
31% |
15,966 |
30% |
15,130 |
30% |
15,786 |
Single Male |
2% |
669 |
2% |
996 |
2% |
1,065 |
2% |
1,217 |
2% |
1,296 |
What was the relationship of the adoptive parents to the child prior to the adoption?
|
FY 1998 |
FY 1999 |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
Non-Relative |
21% |
7,682 |
20% |
9,355 |
18% |
9,316 |
17% |
8,748 |
15% |
7,928 |
Foster Parent |
64% |
23,574 |
64% |
29,953 |
61% |
30,911 |
59% |
30,099 |
61% |
32,442 |
Relative |
16% |
5,745 |
16% |
7,693 |
21% |
10,774 |
24% |
12,153 |
24% |
12,630 |
Technical Notes
NOTE #1
Description of AFCARS
The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) was created under the authority of section 479a of the Social Security Act. Twice each fiscal year, State child welfare agencies electronically transmit to the Children’s Bureau case level data for every child who experienced foster care (children served) in the public child welfare system (foster care database) and for every child adopted with public child welfare agency involvement (adoption database) during the specified six month period. The six-month reports are combined to correspond to the federal fiscal year (FY) which begins on October 1 and ends on September 30. For example, FY 2002 began on October 1, 2001 and ended on September 30, 2002. AFCARS annual files contain only one record for each child no matter how many times the child entered and exited care during the FY.
Description of The AFCARS Report (12)
The AFCARS Report (12) provides the final estimates associated with the following sub-populations for FY 1998 through FY 2002: those children who enter foster care, those who exit foster care, those who are in foster care on the last day of the FY, those who are waiting for adoption, those whose parental rights for all living parents have been terminated, and those who are adopted with public child welfare agency involvement. This report replaces all previous AFCARS Reports for this time period--FY 1998-FY 2002—AFCARS reports #1 through #9.
Estimates of the total number of children in each subpopulation are rounded to the nearest 1,000 because there continue to be inconsistencies in reporting from the states that preclude the establishment of an exact number. Numbers are not rounded in the tables so that when they are totaled they will equal the subpopulation total estimate. (See below for a further discussion of estimation within tables.)
Missing Data
The table below indicates the number of jurisdictions that provided useable data for each of the sub-populations for each FY. Missing data for the aggregate totals were estimated for all subpopulations except for adoption. The primary method used was from “plugging” in data from the most recent year available. The missing aggregate data for adoption was not estimated because any reasonable estimate for the missing jurisdictions would have had no effect on the estimated total.
Number of Jurisdictions1 Reporting Useable Data for Each FY
FY |
Entries |
Exits |
In Care |
Waiting |
TPR |
Adoption |
1998 |
44 |
45 |
44 |
43 |
32 |
49 |
1999 |
51 |
51 |
51 |
48 |
45 |
52 |
2000 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
49 |
46 |
52 |
2001 |
52 |
51 |
52 |
50 |
47 |
52 |
2002 |
52 |
52 |
52 |
52 |
50 |
52 |
1 Jurisdictions include the 50 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico |
In this report, percentages are calculated only for those children whose data are reported, i.e. not missing. The associated estimated numbers are calculated by multiplying the percent by the estimated total for the sub-population. For example, if in an FY 105 children entered care, but the birthdates were reported for only 100, the percentages would be based only on those 100 children for whom birth dates were available. For example, if 5% of the children who entered care in an FY were 17 years old, the number associated with that group would be .05 X 100, or 5. The percentages reported for each category in a table are rounded. Further, the percentages in some tables may not total 100% due to rounding.
Interpretation
Over the years, the accuracy and completeness of the data reported to AFCARS have improved dramatically. Therefore, care should be taken in interpreting trends appearing in the earlier years because they may be primarily a function of data quality improvement.
The mean is the average of a group of values. The median is the value associated with the middle case in a distribution. For example, if the ages of 11 children were presented from highest to lowest, the age of child #6 would be the median.
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NOTE #2
In foster care on the last day of the federal fiscal year (September 30th)
This is an estimated count of all the children in foster care on the last day of the year. An individual child is included in the count for each year for which he or she is in foster care on the last day.
Entering care during the federal fiscal year
This is an estimated count of all children who enter foster care during the year. An individual child is counted only once for each year, even if the child entered, exited and re-entered care during the year. If an individual child entered in one year and then exits and re-enters in a subsequent year, he or she is included in the count of entries for both years.
Exiting care during the federal fiscal year
This is an estimated count of all children who exited foster care during the year. An individual child is counted only once for each year, even if the child exited, re-entered and exited again during the year. If an individual child exits care in one year and then re-enters and exits again in a subsequent year, he or she is included in the count of exits for both years.
Waiting to be adopted
This is an estimated count of all children who are waiting to be adopted on the last day of the year. An individual child is included in the count for each year in which he or she is waiting to be adopted on the last day. There is no federal definition for a child waiting to be adopted. For analytical purposes, children waiting to be adopted include children with a goal of adoption and/or children whose parental rights have been terminated. Children whose parental rights have been terminated who are 16 years old and older, and who have a goal of emancipation are excluded from the “waiting” population.
Parental rights have been terminated
This is an estimated count of the children in care on the last day of the year that are waiting to be adopted and their parental rights have been terminated. An individual child is counted only once for each year. An individual child is included in the count for each year that he or she has these characteristics on the last day of the year.
Adopted
This is an estimated count of all children adopted during the year with public child welfare agency involvement. Public agency involvement includes children who had been in the public foster care system and children who were not in the public foster care system but are receiving an adoption subsidy from the title IV-E adoption assistance program.
Data quality issue
Ideally, if the number of children in the “in care” count declines, as it did during this period, the number of exits should consistently be greater than the number of entries in that year. However, this does not occur with these data. Underreporting of foster care exits by some states is the major reason for this data quality issue.
Back
NOTE #3
Format of age categories
In AFCARS Reports 1 through 9, ages of children were presented in grouped categories. In this AFCARS Report, ages of children have been presented in one-year increments to permit readers to construct categories relevant to their interest. The ages are truncated. This means that a child is classified as being that age until the child’s next birthday. For example, all children 16 and older but less than 17 years old are classified as 16.
Back
NOTE #4
Change in how race/ethnicity data are reported
In FY 2000, the categories for race/ethnicity in AFCARS were changed to correspond to the categories used in the 2000 Census, including the option to identify the person as being of more than one race. The categories for the two ways of collecting of race/ethnicity information have been adjusted to appear as similar as possible. However, there still remain categories that are not relevant to both systems. They are identified as “NA” or not applicable.
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NOTE #5
Discrepancies between the number of adoption reported as foster care exits and the number of adoptions reported as finalized adoptions
The estimated total number of adoptions used in the adoption section of this report does not equal the number of adoption discharges reported under foster care exits because the number in the adoption section includes some children who were not in foster care but who received other support from the public agency. In addition, states have historically underreported adoption discharges. In contrast, states tend to report finalized adoptions more accurately to the AFCARS adoption database because those are the adoptions used to calculate the adoption incentive awards.
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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau, www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb
Preliminary Estimates for FY 2005 as of September 2006 (12).
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