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The Children's Bureau is committed to the collection of quality data to be used for policy development, program management and evaluation at both the State and Federal levels. The use of the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data is legislatively and programmatically significant for the administration and oversight of programs under titles IV-B and IV-E of the Social Security Act.
The Children's Bureau created the AFCARS Assessment Review process to assure the accuracy and reliability of the foster care and adoption data. During these reviews, the Federal review team assesses the efficiency and effectiveness of States' data collection, extraction, and reporting processes, and provides intensive technical assistance to State staff responsible for those processes.
The Children's Bureau produced this State Guide to an AFCARS Assessment Review to provide guidance to State child welfare program and technology staff regarding the AFCARS Assessment Review process. Revisions in this fourth edition are based on the Children's Bureau's experience from conducting AFCARS Assessment Reviews since the Guide was first issued in April 2002. Also, the fourth edition contains new information regarding the AFCARS Improvement Phase.
The Children's Bureau welcomes comments and suggestions from those using this guide. Comments may be sent to:
Department of Health and Human Services
Administration for Children and Families
Administration on Children, Youth and Families
Children's Bureau
Director, Division of Program Implementation
1250 Maryland Avenue, SW, 8th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20024
The State Guide to an AFCARS Assessment Review is available for download on the Children's Bureau's web site. The document is available in HTML and PDF file formats.
Chapter I: Introduction
A. Overview
B. Audience
C. Background
1. AFCARS
2. SACWIS
D. Information System Reviews
E. Authority
F. Structure of the Guide
Chapter II: Overview of AFCARS Assessment Review
A. Introduction
B. Summary of AAR Phases
1. AAR Initiation Phase
2. Pre-Site Visit Phase
3. On-Site Visit Phase
4. Post-Site Visit Phase
5. AFCARS Improvement Phase
C. Requirements Subject to Review
D. Rating Factors
E. AAR Initiation Phase
1. Federal Selection Process
2. State Request for an AAR
Chapter III: The Review Teams
A. Introduction
B. Composition of the Review Teams
C. Roles and Responsibilities of Team Members
1. State Team
2. Federal Team
Chapter IV: The Pre-Site Visit Phase
A. Introduction
B. Overview of the Pre-Site Visit Activities
C. Documentation Exchange
D. Test Cases
E. Case File Review Preparation
F. The On-Site Agenda
G. Site Logistics
Chapter V: The On-Site Review Phase
A. Introduction
B. On-Site Logistics
C. On-Site Review Activities
1. Day 1 - Entrance Meeting and System Demonstration
2. Day 2 - Case File Review
3. Day 3 and 4 - Foster Care and Adoption Population and Data Elements
a. Population and Data Element Review
b. Document Review Findings
4. Day 5 - Exit Conference
Chapter VI: The Post-Site Visit Phase
A. Introduction
B. Final Analysis
C. Final Report
D. Dissemination of the Final Report
Chapter VII: AFCARS Improvement Phase
A. Introduction
B. AFCARS Improvement Plan (AIP)
C. New Child Welfare Information Systems
D. Close-Out of AFCARS Improvement Plan
E. Technical Assistance
Exhibit 1: AFCARS Assessment Review Process
Exhibit 2: Rating Factors
Exhibit 3: Review Team Roles and Responsibilities
Exhibit 4: State Documentation List
APPENDIX A: AFCARS Federal Resources
APPENDIX B: AFCARS General Requirements
APPENDIX C: AFCARS Data Elements
APPENDIX D: State Activities Checklist
APPENDIX E: On-Site Agenda
APPENDIX F: Sample Case File Review Form
APPENDIX G: Sample AIPs
