Child Welfare Outcomes 2007-2010: Report to Congress

This report to Congress provides information on the performance of states in seven outcome categories and also includes data on contextual factors and findings of analyses conducted across states.

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Contextual Factors

State Performance on Outcome Measures

Conclusion and Recommendations for Further Investigation

Chapter I: Introduction to the Child Welfare Outcomes, Data, and Analysis

Original Outcome Measures and Child and Family Services Review Measures

Context Data

Federal Child Welfare Data Systems

Data Analyses in the Child Welfare Outcomes Report

Chapter II: Keeping Children Safe

Characteristics of Child Victims, Types of Maltreatment, and Time to Investigation

Range of State Performance in 2010 on Safety-Related Outcome Measures

Changes in State Performance on Measures of Maltreatment Recurrence and Maltreatment of Children in Foster Care

Summary of Findings Regarding Keeping Children Safe

Chapter III: Finding Permanent Homes for Children in Foster Care

Numbers and Characteristics of Children in Foster Care

Range of Performance in Achieving Permanency For Children in Foster Care

Changes in State Performance on Measures of Achieving Permanency

Summary of Findings Regarding Achieving Permanency for Children in Foster Care

Chapter IV: Achieving Timely Reunifications and Adoptions for Children in Foster Care

Caseworker Visits

Changes in State Performance With Regard to Achieving Timely Reunifications

Timeliness of Adoptions

Changes in State Performance With Regard to Timeliness of Adoptions

Summary of Findings Regarding Achieving Reunifications and Adoptions in a Timely Manner

Chapter V: Achieving Stable and  Appropriate Placement Settings for Children in Foster Care

Changes in State Performance on Measures of Achieving Stable and Appropriate Placement Settings for Children in Foster Care

Summary of Findings Regarding Achieving Stable and Appropriate Placements for Children in Foster Care

Chapter VI: State Performance Relevant to the Seven National Child Welfare Outcomes (State Data Pages)

Viewing the State Data Pages

Range of State Performance

Appendix A: Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-89)

Appendix B: Child Welfare Outcomes Report: Outcomes and Measures

Appendix C: Caseworker Visits

Appendix D: Child Welfare Outcomes Report: Data Sources and Elements

Appendix E: Child Maltreatment 2010: Summary of Key Findings

Appendix F: The AFCARS Report