This report presents data and information on State and national performance in the operation of child protection and child welfare programs.
Data and information are presented on the following outcome performance measures: reductions in the recurrence of child abuse and/or neglect; the incidence of child abuse and/or neglect in foster care; time in foster care to reunification without increasing reentry; time in foster care to adoption; and placements of young children in group homes or institutions. Other performance outcomes are increasing permanency for children in foster care and placement stability. In addition, data are presented on child welfare-oriented contextual factors relevant to understanding and interpreting State performance on these outcome measures. These data address characteristics of child victims and foster care information. Among the key findings of the report is that between 2008 and 2011, State performance on the two safety-related outcome measures, recurrence of maltreatment and maltreatment in foster care, remained fairly consistent. States continue to experience challenges in finding permanent homes for children with disabilities and children who entered foster care when they were older than age 12. States that were successful in achieving permanency for children at the time of exit from foster care also were successful in achieving permanency for children in foster care for long periods. There was a reduction in the number of children emancipating from foster care who entered foster care at age 12 or younger. Many States with a relatively high percentage of foster care reentries also had a relatively high percentage of children entering foster care who were adolescents (age 12 or older). The percentage of young children placed in group homes or institutions has continued to decline; however, there are some States that still struggle in this area. Appended relevant Federal legislation and data and information on caseworker visits, data sources and elements, and a summary of key findings for child maltreatment in 2011