About AFCARS

The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) collects case-level information from state and tribal title IV-E agencies on all children in foster care and those who have been adopted with title IV-E agency involvement.  Title IV-E agencies are required to submit AFCARS data semi-annually to the Children's Bureau.  The AFCARS report periods are October 1 through March 31 and April 1 through September 30.  Data for each report period are due no later than May 15 and November 14, respectively.

ACF uses AFCARS data for a number of reasons, including the following:

• Determining awards for the Adoption Incentives program
• Preparing the Child Welfare Outcomes report
• Conducting the Child and Family Services Reviews
• Conducting title IV-E foster care eligibility reviews
• Determining the allotment of funds for the Chafee Foster Care Independence program
• Conducting trend analyses and short- and long-term planning efforts
• Targeting areas for initial or increased technical assistance efforts, discretionary service grants, research and evaluation, and regulatory change
• Responding to request for data from federal, state, tribal, and private agencies