In addition to checking data at the record level, the DQU also looks at each data element and race category across the entire file to see trends in reported data. Trends that are suspect are identified in the Cross File Errors section of the DQU Summary Report.
A cross file check is done by taking the number of records having valid data in which the data in an element meet a certain condition and dividing that number by the total number of records having valid data for that element. Any record that does not contain valid data for the element will be excluded from the check. If the resulting percentage does not meet a standard for the check, the check fails. Note: In most cases, the standard is < 100%, which means that the given condition can not exist in every record that has valid data for the element.
Table 2, below, describes the cross file checks that are done for each element. There are five columns in the table:
Data Element |
Exclusion Rules |
Numerator |
Denominator |
Standard |
#1 State |
no cross file checks on this element |
#2 Report Period End Date |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number records where element #2 = element #2 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
100% |
#3 Local FIPS Code |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #3 = element #3 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#4 Record Number |
none |
number of records where all characters in element #4 are blank |
all records |
if numerator > 2 |
#5 Date of Most Recent Periodic Review |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #5 = element #5 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#6 Child's Birth Date |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where year component of element #6 = year component of element #6 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#7 Child's Sex |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #7 = element #7 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#8 Child's Race |
data for #8a-f are all blank, out of range, inconsistent, or a combination thereof |
number of records where elements #8a-e have only one race as "applies" |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#8a Child's Race - American Indian or Alaska Native |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #8a = element #8a from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#8b Child's Race - Asian |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #8b = #8b from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#8c Child's Race - Black or African American |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #8c = #8c from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#8d Child's Race - Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #8d = #8d from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#8e Child's Race - White |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #8e = #8e from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#8f Child's Race - Unable to Determine |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #8 = "1" (unable to determine) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 5% |
#9 Child's Hispanic or Latino Origin |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #9 = "1" (yes) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
number of records where element #9 = "3" (unable to determine) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 5% |
#10 Has Child Been Diagnosed with Disability |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #10 = element #10 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#11 Child Has Been Diagnosed with Mental Retardation |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #11 = element #11 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#12 Child Has Been Diagnosed as Visually/ Hearing Impaired |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #12 = element #12 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#13 Child Has Been Diagnosed as Physically Disabled |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #13 = element #13 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#14 Child Has Been Diagnosed as Emotionally Disturbed |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #14 = element #14 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#15 Child Has Been Diagnosed with Other Medical Condition |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #15 = element #15 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#16 Has Child Been Adopted Prior to the Current Episode |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #16 = element #16 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #16 = "1" (yes) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 5% |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #16 = "3" (unable to determine) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 5% |
#17 Child's Age at Adoption Prior to the Current Episode |
data is blank, out of range, inconsistent, or "0" (not applicable) |
number of records where element #17 = element #17 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
number of records where element #17 = "5" (unable to determine) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 5% |
#18 Date of First Removal from Home |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where year component of element #18 = year component of element #18 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#19 Total Number of Removals from Home |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #19 = element #19 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
number of records where element #19 |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#20 Date of Discharge from Previous Episode |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where year component of element #20 = year component of element #20 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#21 Date of Latest Removal from Home |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where year component of element #21 = year component of element #21 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#22 Transaction Date of Latest Removal from Home |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where year component of element #22 = year component of element #22 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#23 Date of Placement |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where year component of element #23 = year component of element #23 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#24 Number of Placements in Current Episode |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #24 = element #24 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
number of records where element #24 > 10 |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#25 Manner of Removal |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #25 = "1" (voluntary) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
number of records where element #25 = "3" (not yet determined) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#26 Condition Associated with Removal - Physical Abuse (alleged/reported) |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #26 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#27 Condition Associated with Removal - Sexual Abuse (alleged/reported) |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #27 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#28 Condition Associated with Removal - Neglect (alleged/reported) |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #28 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#29 Condition Associated with Removal - Parent Alcohol Abuse |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #29 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#30 Condition Associated with Removal - Parent Drug Abuse |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #30 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#31 Condition Associated with Removal - Child Alcohol Abuse |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #31 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#32 Condition Associated with Removal - Child Drug Abuse |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #32 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#33 Condition Associated with Removal - Child Disability |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #33 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#34 Condition Associated with Removal - Child Behavior Problem |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #34 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#35 Condition Associated with Removal - Death of Parent |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #35 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#36 Condition Associated with Removal - Incarceration of Parent |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #36 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#37 Condition Associated with Removal - Caretaker Inability to Cope |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #37 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#38 Condition Associated with Removal - Abandonment |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #38 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#39 Condition Associated with Removal - Relinquishment |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #39 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#40 Condition Associated with Removal - Inadequate Housing |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #40 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#41 Current Placement Setting |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #41 = element #41 from the first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#42 Is Placement Out of State? |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #42 = "1" (yes) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#43 Most Recent Case Plan Goal |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #43 = element #43 from the first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#44 Primary Caretaker Family Structure |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #43 = element #43 from the first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
number of records where element #44 = "5" (unable to determine) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 10% |
#45 1st Primary Caretaker's Birth Year |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #45 = element #45 from the first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
number of records where #45 = #46 |
all records where both elements #45 and #46 do not meet their exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#46 2nd Primary Caretaker's Birth Year |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #45 = element #45 from the first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
number of records where #46 = #45 |
all records where both elements #45 and #46 do not meet their exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#47 Date of Termination of Mother's Parental Rights |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where year component of element #47 = year component of element #47 from the first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
number of records where #47 = #48 |
all records where both elements #47 and #48 do not meet their exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#48 Date of Termination of Father's Parental Rights |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where year component of element #48 = year component of element #48 from the first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
number of records where #48 = #47 |
all records where both elements #47 and #48 do not meet their exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#49 Foster Family Structure |
data is blank, out of range, inconsistent "0" (not applicable) |
number of records where element #49 = element #49 from the first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#50 1st Foster Caretaker's Birth Year |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #50 = element #50 from the first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#51 2nd Foster Caretaker's Birth Year |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #51 = element #51 from the first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#52 1st Foster Caretaker's Race |
data for #52a-f are all blank, out of range, inconsistent, or a combination thereof |
number of records where elements #52a-e have only one race as "applies" |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#52a 1st Foster Caretaker's Race - American Indian or Alaska Native |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #52a = element #52a from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#52b 1st Foster Caretaker's Race - Asian |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #52b = element #52b from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#52c 1st Foster Caretaker's Race - Black or African American |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #52c = element #52c from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#52d 1st Foster Caretaker's Race - Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #52d = element #52d from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#52e 1st Foster Caretaker's Race - White |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #52e = element #52e from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#52f 1st Foster Caretaker's Race - Unable to Determine |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #52f = "1" (unable to determine) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 10% |
#53 1st Foster Caretaker's Hispanic or Latino Origin |
data is blank, out of range, or "0" (not applicable) |
number of records where element #53 = element #53 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
number of records where element #53 = "3" (unable to determine) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 10% |
#54 2nd Foster Caretaker's Race |
data for #54a-f are all blank, out of range, inconsistent, or a combination thereof |
number of records where elements #52a-e have only one race as "applies" |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#54a 2nd Foster Caretaker's Race - American Indian or Alaska Native |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #54a = element #54a from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#54b 2nd Foster Caretaker's Race - Asian |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #54b = element #54b from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#54c 2nd Foster Caretaker's Race - Black or African American |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #54c = element #54c from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#54d 2nd Foster Caretaker's Race - Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #54d = element #54d from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#54e 2nd Foster Caretaker's Race - White |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #54e = element #54e from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#54f 2nd Foster Caretaker's Race - Unable to Determine |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #54f = "1" (unable to determine) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 10% |
#55 2nd Foster Caretaker's Hispanic or Latino Origin |
data is blank, out of range, or "0" (not applicable) |
number of records where element #55 = element #55 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
number of records where element #55 = "3" (unable to determine) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 10% |
#56 Date of Discharge |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #56 = element #56 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#57 Transaction Date of Discharge |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #57 = element #57 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#58 Reason for Discharge |
data is blank, out of range, or "0" (not applicable) |
number of records where element #58 = element #58 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#59 Sources of Federal Support - Title IV-E (Foster Care) |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #59 = "0" (does not apply) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#60 Sources of Federal Support - Title IV-E (Adoption Assistance) |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #60 = element #60 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#61 Sources of Federal Support - Title IV-A (AFDC) |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #61 = element #61 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#62 Sources of Federal Support - Title IV-D (Child Support) |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #62 = element #62 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#63 Sources of Federal Support - Title XIX (Medicaid Eligible) |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #63 = "0" (does not apply) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#64 Sources of Federal Support - SSI and Other Social Security Act |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #64 = element #64 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#65 Sources of Federal Support - None of the Above |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #65 = "1" (applies) |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |
#66 Amount of Monthly Subsidy (All Sources) |
data is blank, out of range, or inconsistent |
number of records where element #66 = element #66 from first record |
all records not meeting exclusion rules |
< 100% |