Adoption And Foster Care Analysis And Reporting System Research Articles

A computational social science approach to understanding predictors of Chafee service receipt

The John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (CFCIP) allocates funding to provide services to youth who are likely to age out of foster care. These services, covering everything from mentoring to financial aid, are expected to be distributed in ways that prepare youth for life after care. One natural question to ask is, which youth receive Chafee services? The present work makes use of the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD), a large-scale administrative dataset that tracks services allocated to youth that use CFCIP funds to answer this question. Specifically, we conduct a forensic social science analysis of the NYTD data. To do so, we first use computational methods to help us uncover the factors that best predict which youth will receive services associated with service receipt. We find that the majority of variables in the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) and NYTD have limited or no utility in predicting Chafee service receipt, and that a subset of three variables—youth age, youth time in care, and the state in which a youth is in care—explain almost all variability in service receipt. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of these and other findings on future research on Chafee service allocation, and the utility of predictive modeling in child welfare, with a particular focus on the utility of the NYTD in this context.

State expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility and rates of foster care entries

BackgroundState expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility under broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) is associated with decreases in household poverty and food insecurity, child protective services investigations, and mental health and substance use disorders among adults, key contributors to foster care entry. ObjectiveTo examine the association of state expansion of SNAP eligibility under BBCE with rates of foster care entries. ParticipantsFoster care entries among children ages <18 years. MethodsWe used 2005–2019 data from the SNAP Policy Database and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). We conducted difference-in-differences analyses and generated event study plots adjusting for state economic conditions (percent population unemployed, median household income) and policies (minimum wage, refundable Earned Income Tax Credits, maximum Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefit for a family of 3). ResultsOn average, there were 1.8 fewer foster care entries (95 % confidence interval (CI) −2.8, −0.8) per 1000 children per year in states that expanded SNAP eligibility than there would have been if they had not expanded eligibility. Average decreases in foster care entries were similar among young (−1.7 per 1000 children per year, 95 % −3.1, −0.3) and school-age (−1.8 per 1000 children per year, 95 % CI −2.7, −0.8) children and larger among Black non-Hispanic (−5.6 per 1000 children per year, 95 % CI −9.1, −2.0) than among White non-Hispanic (−1.4 per 1000 children per year, 95 % CI −2.2, −0.6) children. The magnitude of these decreases increased with greater time since policy adoption. ConclusionsResults add to growing evidence that programs and policies that support and stabilize household economic and material conditions may contribute to reductions in foster care entries at the population-level.

Family support services and reunification across diverse racial/ethnic groups: A survival analysis utilizing administrative child welfare data

Background/ObjectiveContrary to their intention, family support services may increase the likelihood of foster care placement. Yet, few studies have examined what happens to children placed into care after receiving these in-home services, which is particularly concerning for children of color who often face disparities in successful outcomes. Using data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) and the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), this study examined the relationship between family support service utilization and reunification across diverse racial/ethnic groups.MethodData for this study come from the AFCARS and the NCANDS. All children who entered foster care in 2015 in states that reported utilization of family support services (29 states and DC) were included in this analysis (n = 178,366 children) and were tracked for four years. We conducted multivariate survival analyses to examine the likelihood of reunification depending on family support service use and race/ethnicity, among other covariates.ResultsApproximately half of the sample (50.51%) reunified during the study period. White, Hispanic, and Multiracial children had the highest utilization of family support services. After adjusting for other factors, family support services (HR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.94–0.96) decreased the hazards of reunification. The interaction between race/ethnicity and family support services was not significantly associated with reunification.DiscussionFamily support services are not achieving their intended goal either prior to, or after removal, regardless of racial/ethnic identity. Implications are explored for policy related to reunification and for future research to explore the relationship between receipt of family support services and reunification.

Event history analysis on racial disparities in the path to adoption for Black and White children

BackgroundBlack children are significantly overrepresented in many phases of the U.S. child welfare system. ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to investigate racial disproportionality and disparities in the adoption process and factors that predict the length of time to adoption. Participants and settingThis study utilized administrative data from the 2014 year of the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) collected in 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. MethodsThe disproportionality metric (DM) and disparity index (DI) were constructed for Black and White children, and event history analyses were conducted to calculate the probability of adoption while considering the time to adoption finalization. ResultsDM indicated that Black children (0.81) were underrepresented in adoption, and DI indicated that the likelihood of adoption for Black children (0.73) was one third lower than that for White children. The event history analyses revealed that White children were 1.27 times more likely to be adopted than Black children. White children had considerably fewer days from termination of parental rights to adoption finalization with a median time of 273.5 days compared to 328 days for Black children. Factors that extended adoption time included child intellectual, physical, and emotional/behavioral disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, parental alcohol abuse and disability, and child maltreatment histories, while parental drug abuse and longer stays in out-of-home care shortened the adoption process. We also found a significant interaction effect of race and neglect on adoption. Neglected Black children had a longer time to adoption than neglected White children. ConclusionsMore dedicated outreach programs and resources must be developed to ensure the effectiveness of adoption services and cultural continuity for Black children.

An updated examination of the predictors of running away from foster care in the United States and trends over ten years (2010–2019)

BackgroundAmong the more than 400,000 children in foster care, there is a small group who will run away from care and face increased risks of negative outcomes. Previous studies on the predictors of running away from care use limited samples or outdated data. ObjectiveThe present study replicates and extends prior research by presenting an updated analysis of predictors of running away from foster care as well as 10-year trends in the prevalence and predictors of running from care. Participants and settingThis study uses the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data to assess the runaway status of 597,911 children who were involved in foster care in 2019. Longitudinal trend analyses utilize AFCARS data from 2010 to 2019. MethodUsing chi-square/t-tests and binary logistic regression analyses, this study investigates individual- and case-level predictors of running away from foster care programs. ResultsFindings show that girls (OR = 1.29, p < .001), African American children (OR = 1.89, p < .001), and older children (OR = 1.61, p < .001) are at increased risk of running away from foster care. Removal reasons such as child substance abuse (OR = 1.65, p < .001), abandonment (OR = 1.38, p < .001), and child behavioral problems (OR = 1.31, p < .001) are also associated with an increased risk. Analysis of 10-year trends shows a steady decline in running from care: 1.40% in 2010 to 0.98% in 2019. The profile of risk factors is stable overall, with a few notable exceptions. ConclusionsThe percent of children running from foster care is at a 10-year low. Prevention and intervention efforts regarding running from care must focus on the needs of African American and Hispanic children, especially girls, as well as children with substance use or behavior problems. Given that programs rarely have prospective information regarding why children leave care and the negative consequences of labeling children as “runaways,” shifting language to “missing from care” should be considered.

Placement disruption of children with disabilities in foster care

PurposeTo investigate and describe available data on children with disabilities in the United States foster care system and examine placement disruptions. DesignThis quantitative descriptive study was a secondary data analysis of the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) and included 680,611 children. MethodsDescriptive and regression analyses were conducted. FindingsOf 680,611 children in the U.S. foster care system in 2017, 22% had a medical or disability diagnosis, requiring additional or specialized care. Children with disabilities in foster care (CDFC) had a mean of 4.0 disruptions—significantly higher than the mean 2.37 disruptions among those without a disability (p < .001, d = 0.51). CDFC spent an average of 915 days in foster care compared to 514 days for children without a disability (p < .001, d = 0.59). Predictive risk factors for disruptions were increased child age, race (American Indian or Black), and increased foster parent age. Protective factors against disruptions included married foster parents and a child being placed outside of the child's initial state of residence. ConclusionsCDFC have significantly more disruptions and longer stays in foster care. While risk and protective factors affect all foster children similarly, they have significantly greater effect on foster children with disabilities. Practice implicationsIncreased disruptions compound the vulnerability of CDFC as relationships and support systems are broken. Understanding the extent to which childhood disabilities play a role allows school nurses, healthcare providers, and child advocates to better design interventions to improve lifelong health outcomes.

Early fatherhood and socioeconomic outcomes among young men transitioning from foster care in the United States

PurposeEarly fatherhood among young men transitioning from foster care has received scant research attention. The purpose of the present study was to: (a) examine the rates of fatherhood by age 21 in two distinct samples of youth transitioning from foster care in the United States; and (b) evaluate the impact of fatherhood on youths‘ educational and vocational attainment, and experiences of homelessness and incarceration, at age 21. MethodsWe used data from two cohorts of the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD), initiated in years 2011 and 2014. The final sample for each cohort consisted of young men who completed a baseline survey at age 17, and two follow up surveys at ages 19 and 21 (N = 2488 and N = 2793, respectively). Data from each NYTD cohort was merged with data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) for years 2011 and 2014. ResultsThe cumulative rate of fatherhood by age 21 was 19.3% in the 2011 sample, and 16.5% in the 2014 sample. The rates of fatherhood were higher between ages 19–21, as compared to earlier ages. In multivariate analyses, fatherhood was linked to lower educational attainment and higher risk of homelessness and incarceration, but not to employment status. These findings were consistent across both NYTD samples. ConclusionsFathers represent a sizable group of transitioning foster youth, who may exhibit detrimental outcomes in young adulthood. Appropriate services and supports are necessary to assist these vulnerable young men.

Child and state factors in positive permanency: a multi-level survival analysis

ABSTRACT Positive permanency, or leaving foster care to a permanent family setting, is a priority for children in care. Yet, there are barriers to achieving permanency, particularly among children of color. This study examined child and state factors that impacted permanency outcomes, with a particular focus on racial disparities. The researchers utilized a sample of n = 208,742 children who entered care in 2016 from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). A series of multi-level survival analyses were conducted to examine child and state system factors associated with positive permanency, with a focus on child race/ethnicity and state disparity indexes. Results confirmed ongoing disparities for Black, American Indian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Multi-Racial children in care. Implications for practice, policy, and future research are explored.

Resilient Outcomes among Youth Aging-Out of Foster Care: Findings from the National Youth in Transition Database

ABSTRACT The period of transition from foster care to independent living is frequently associated with poor outcomes. While some studies have conveyed patterns of resilience among transition-age foster youth, additional research is needed to examine its stability over time. The present study used data from the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) to examine the rates and stability of positive, or “resilient” outcomes among foster youth at ages 19 and 21 (N = 4,631). We included domains such as education, employment, and risky behaviors in our assessment of resilient outcomes. About 40% of youth met the criteria for resilience at ages 19 and 21 (i.e., “sustained resilience” group), an additional 28% met the criteria for resilience at one time point only (i.e., “periodic resilience” group), and 30% did not meet the criteria for resilience at any point (i.e., “sustained non-resilience” group). Several risk, protective, and child welfare factors were associated with manifestations of resilient outcomes during the period of transition to adulthood. Implications for policy, practice, and research are discussed.

Racial/ethnic disproportionality in reunification across U.S. child welfare systems

BackgroundRacial/ethnic disparities are persistent in referrals and removals of children into child welfare systems. Yet, less is known about disparities in reunification, and how system factors may contribute to more equitable outcomes for families of color. ObjectiveThis study examined racial/ethnic disparities in reunification rates across U.S. child welfare systems controlling for child- and system-factors. Participants and settingData for this study came from the 2017 Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). We utilized a subsample of n = 284,382 children ages 0–5. MethodsWe used a bottom-up model building-approach to examine child- and system-factors associated with reunification. A series of multilevel models were run. ResultsLess than 3% of the variance in reunification occurred between state child welfare systems. Native American children had lower odds of reunification than White children (AOR = 0.87, p < .001), while Hispanic children had higher odds of reunification (AOR = 1.08, p < .001). Random effects were present for race/ethnicity and interaction terms between race/ethnicity and parental drug use were significant. ConclusionsRacial/ethnic disparities are present in reunification, though these may vary across child welfare systems. Thus, future research could examine state systems that have better outcomes for families of color and examine factors that might explain these relationships.

Reunification for young children of color with substance removals: An intersectional analysis of longitudinal national data

BackgroundThe opioid epidemic has resulted in increasing attention to the effect of parental substance use disorders on child welfare system involvement, including foster care utilization. Opioid use disorders are more common among whites than people of color, however. ObjectiveThis study sought to determine number and proportion of children of color with substance removals and whether disparities exist in likelihood of reunification compared to white children. Participants & settingThis study used U.S. Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data to determine rates of foster care entries and outcomes between 2007–2017 across intersections of child race/ethnicity, age, and substance removal status. MethodsSurvival analyses were employed to test the primary research questions. ResultsDuring the 10 year period observed, the number and proportion of white children with substance removals (ages 0−4 and 5+) in foster care increased two- to three-fold compared to children of color with substance removals depending on child age. However, children of color, particularly ages 0−4, faced disadvantages respecting foster care outcomes. Results of the multivariate proportional hazards models revealed that reunification was significantly and substantially more likely for every group compared to young (0−4) children of color with substance removals. Further probing revealed that racial disparities were driven primarily by Black/African American children. ConclusionsChildren of color with substance removals, particularly Black/African American children, are at higher risk of poor child welfare outcomes compared to their white peers.

Locating the Intersections of Disability, Race and Ethnicity in Adoption Rates among Foster Children Introduction

The promotion of speedy, permanent adoption outcomes for children in foster care whose parental rights have been terminated is a central child welfare policy goal. However, while both children of color and children with disabilities are at greater risk for child welfare involvement, little is known about influence of these intersecting identities on adoption rates. This cross-sectional national study draws on the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) to explore the between and within group foster care outcomes of adoption. While we expected to see advantages in outcomes based on identification with privileged social identities, our findings were much more varied. Implications relate to the need for intersectional approaches to equity assessments of child welfare systems and practice.

Private vs public child welfare systems: A comparative analysis of national safety outcome performance

BackgroundEnsuring the safety of American children is one of the chief mandates of the U.S. Child Welfare System. Yet system differences, including privatization remain an area of concern for whether safety of children is achieved. ObjectiveThis study examined the effect of privatization policy on the performance of state child welfare systems in terms of achieving national safety outcome standards. Participants and SettingN1 = 10 states systems (5 privatized and 5 public systems) with N2 = 118,761 foster care cases located throughout the U.S. MethodUsing data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), safety outcome performance measures were assessed, as were child-/case factors to predict the likelihood of the system types meeting the national safety outcome standards. ResultsLogistic regression models of child, case, and system factors predicting the likelihood state systems met national safety outcome performance standards were statistically significant. Private systems, compared to non-private systems, were found to have lower odds of meeting the safety outcome 1 standard (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.40–0.42), but greater odds of meeting the safety outcome 2 standard (OR = 6.79, 95% CI = 6.56–7.02). ConclusionsThe implementation of privatization policy in state child welfare/foster care service delivery was found to have mixed results in terms of the national safety outcome standards.

Use of parental disability as a removal reason for children in foster care in the U.S.

This study uses a large administrative dataset, the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), to explore how public child welfare agencies in the United States use parental disability in their data collection efforts through examining the use of parental disability as a removal reason. Using data from the 2012 AFCARS foster care file, this study explores how the parental disability removal reason is used and how this removal reason relates to parent and child demographics. The study found that 19% of foster children had parental disability as a removal reason. Children with disabilities and children of certain races had higher odds of having parental disability as a removal reason, as did both younger and older parents. The study also found great variation amongst states in the use of parental disability as a removal. Recommendations for more appropriate collection of parental disability related data are suggested, as basing child welfare decisions on diagnoses versus behavior contradicts guidance jointly put forth by the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services.

The Effect of Kinship Placement Laws on Foster Children’s Well-Being

Abstract This paper examines whether placing foster children with relatives, instead of unfamiliar caregivers, institutions, or group homes, increases the effectiveness of foster care and consequently improves children’s well-being. As a source of exogenous variation in kinship placement, I use recent major reform of foster care – state policies that prefer kin placement over other types of foster care settings. Using individual-level panel dataset, the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), and employing difference-in-differences identification strategy, I find that in the short-run children exposed to law benefit from higher stability of placement and shorter length of foster care episode, but do not experience significant changes in either mental or physical health. In the longer term, kinship foster homes are more efficient in terms of improving safety and providing permanent home through discharge from foster care with a relative. Thus, given the effectiveness of kinship care, policymakers should focus on developing and implementing policies that further facilitate relatives’ involvement in foster care.

Functioning patterns among older adolescents in foster care: Results from a cluster analysis

Older adolescents in foster care represent a heterogeneous population, though such heterogeneity is often underemphasized in research and practice. This study employed a cluster analysis to identify subpopulations in a large, national sample of 17-year-old youth based on the following indicators: educational attainment, connection to a supportive adult, adolescent parenthood, homelessness, substance abuse referral and incarceration. Data from the National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) and Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) were used in the analysis. Results revealed five subpopulations defined by specific strengths, vulnerabilities and child welfare experiences. The largest group identified (39%) functioned successfully in all domains, whereas an additional group (15%) exhibited consistent maladaptation. The remaining groups evidenced variable adaptation patterns, with strengths in some domains and challenges in others. Entry to foster care for reasons other than child's problem behaviors, and placement in stable, family-based settings were associated with belonging to the most adaptive group. Findings emphasize heterogeneity among older adolescents in foster care, and call for better design and targeting of child welfare services and programs as appropriate to the needs of specific subgroups.

Cumulative Risks of Foster Care Placement by Age 18 for U.S. Children, 2000–2011

Foster care placement is among the most tragic events a child can experience because it more often than not implies that a child has experienced or is at very high risk of experiencing abuse or neglect serious enough to warrant state intervention. Yet it is unclear how many children will experience foster care placement at some point between birth and age 18. Using synthetic cohort life tables and data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), we estimated how many U.S. children were placed in foster care between birth and age 18, finding support for three conclusions. First, up to 5.91% of all U.S. children were ever placed in foster care between their birth and age 18. Second, Native American (up to 15.44%) and Black (up to 11.53%) children were at far higher risk of placement. Foster care is thus quite common in the U.S., especially for historically disadvantaged racial/ethnic groups. Third, differences in foster care placement were minimal between the sexes, indicating that the high risks of foster care placement are shared almost equally by boys and girls.

The Impact of Hurricane Katrina on the U.S. Foster-Care System

Three major hurricanes hit the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005, the most memorable of which was Hurricane Katrina. More than 5,000 children were reported missing following Hurricane Katrina, revealing an urgent need for careful reflection on the impacts of disasters on U.S. child welfare systems. Using United States Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data, we investigate the number of children in foster care in the Gulf Coast states following the hurricanes, whether foster children in the affected states experienced more moves, whether they were placed in less-desirable situations, and whether the cost of placement increased. The mixed findings point to the complexity of child welfare systems and the networks of assistance needed to support families during emergencies. Preliminary policy recommendations are to standardize preplanning for emergencies, including using cloud technology to store and maintain access to critical records and family contact information; maintaining connections between foster children and families in disasters; signing information and service-sharing contracts which could be activated among the array of social organizations serving foster children in disasters or when displacement occurs; and following Child Welfare League of America Standards of minimizing the relocating of children.

Correlates of Multiple Placements in Foster Care: A Study of Placement Instability in Five States

In order to assess the consistency of correlates of multiple placements, secondary data from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) were examined for five states. The relationships between multiple placements and age, disability, and maltreatment type were consistent across the states studied. On the other hand, gender, race, and foster care system size were inconsistently related to multiple placements in terms of direction and/or strength. These results point to the importance of considering not only the strength and direction of these relationships, but also the enduring or shifting nature of these relationships across environments.

Children who run away from foster care: Who are the children and what are the risk factors?

The purpose of this study is to explore the characteristics and risk factors of children who run away from foster care. By examining variables from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) dataset, this study compared two groups of foster children: those who run away and those who do not run away. The findings indicated that children who are older, female, African American, with behavior problems, or diagnosed disability are more likely to run away from foster care placements. In addition, foster children who experienced running away tended to be older at first removal, had been removed from single-parent families, and/or experienced more placement settings and shorter duration while in foster care. Implications for preventions are discussed based on the findings from this study.