Ground Truth:Ground Truth:Using Data to Explore What’s Really Happening at the Using Data to Explore What’s Really Happening at the

Local LevelLocal Level

Augusta Judicial Circuit Augusta Judicial Circuit Justice for Children SummitJustice for Children Summit

September 9, 2008September 9, 2008

George LiGeorge LiBeth LockerBeth LockerGA Supreme Court Committee on Justice for GA Supreme Court Committee on Justice for ChildrenChildren

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The New Child Welfare Environment

The CFSRThe CFSRIn 1994 the federal government instituted the In 1994 the federal government instituted the Child and Family Services Review (CFSR). This Child and Family Services Review (CFSR). This

review targets outcomes for children and review targets outcomes for children and families served by the child welfare system as families served by the child welfare system as well as the systemic factors that directly effect well as the systemic factors that directly effect

the State’s capacity to deliver services.the State’s capacity to deliver services.

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SYSTEMATIC CHANGE

Child welfare has moved from a compliance driven system to an outcome based

system.

All programs are now held accountable for meeting specified outcomes which

requires the field to learn new and better ways to track data and manage toward

positive outcomes for children and families.

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How are the counties in the Augusta Circuit doing How are the counties in the Augusta Circuit doing compared to each other?compared to each other?

How to you think Augusta is doing compared to How to you think Augusta is doing compared to other parts of the state?other parts of the state?

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Do you have enough data to answer these Do you have enough data to answer these questions?questions?

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A Couple of QuestionsA Couple of Questions

So what data are we focusing on today?

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Data Source - AFCARSData Source - AFCARS

• AFCARS: Adoption and Foster Care Analysis AFCARS: Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting Systemand Reporting System

• Foster Care DataFoster Care Data

• AdvantagesAdvantages– Already being collectedAlready being collected– Gives us standardized definitionsGives us standardized definitions

•NCANDS: National Child Abuse & Neglect Data SystemNCANDS: National Child Abuse & Neglect Data System

•PSDS: Protective Services Data SystemPSDS: Protective Services Data System

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Data Source – Safety DataData Source – Safety Data

AFCARS Data SourceAFCARS Data Source

• Georgia’s been sending data every 6 months Georgia’s been sending data every 6 months (March & September) since 1996(March & September) since 1996

• Collaboration with DFCS, the Office of the Child Collaboration with DFCS, the Office of the Child Advocate and Fostering Court Improvement, we Advocate and Fostering Court Improvement, we have data from 10/1998 to 3/2008have data from 10/1998 to 3/2008

• Processed into a Processed into a longitudinallongitudinal file and reported file and reported for major geographic regions: counties, DHR for major geographic regions: counties, DHR regions, court circuits and court districtsregions, court circuits and court districts

• 231 geographic regions, 1100 web pages 231 geographic regions, 1100 web pages containing 6000 chartscontaining 6000 charts

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A Diverse Circuit?

BurkeBurke

ColumbiaColumbia

RichmondRichmond

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Reports of MaltreatmentReports of Maltreatment

• Last year Augusta Last year Augusta investigatedinvestigated 17.5 17.5 children per 10K in the children per 10K in the circuit.circuit.

• Statewide, the rate was 22.9Statewide, the rate was 22.9

• Burke = 25.8Burke = 25.8

• Columbia = 14.8Columbia = 14.8

• Richmond = 18.1Richmond = 18.1

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Investigations

Victims Re-VictimizedVictims Re-Victimized

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Removed vs. Non-Removed Victims Re-Removed vs. Non-Removed Victims Re-VictimizedVictimized

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Removals to Foster CareRemovals to Foster Care

• Augusta removes 2.5 Augusta removes 2.5 children per 10,000 in children per 10,000 in the populationthe population

• Statewide, we remove 2.5 Statewide, we remove 2.5 children per 10K in populationchildren per 10K in population

• Removal rates across the Removal rates across the state vary from less than 1 state vary from less than 1 child per 10,000 in the child per 10,000 in the population to more than population to more than 10. 10. • Due process implications?Due process implications? 12121212

Removals to Foster CareRemovals to Foster Care

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Removals to Foster CareRemovals to Foster Care

• Statewide = 2.5 per 10KStatewide = 2.5 per 10K

• Burke = 0.8 per 10KBurke = 0.8 per 10K

• Columbia = 1.2 per 10KColumbia = 1.2 per 10K

• Richmond = 3.5 per 10KRichmond = 3.5 per 10K

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Reasons for RemovalReasons for Removal

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Reentry to Foster CareReentry to Foster Care

• Of all children Of all children removed between removed between April 2007 and March April 2007 and March 2008:2008:

– 4.6% (13 children), 4.6% (13 children), had been previously had been previously discharged from foster discharged from foster care during the care during the preceding 12 monthspreceding 12 months• 8.5% statewide8.5% statewide

– 8.5% (24 children), 8.5% (24 children), had ever been had ever been previously discharged previously discharged from foster care from foster care • 16.4% statewide16.4% statewide

Chart shows full calendar year data, to minimize variability, but numbers are most recent 12 months

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Reentries to Foster CareReentries to Foster Care

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Reentries to Foster CareReentries to Foster Care

StatewideStatewide = 8.5% (w/i 12); 16.4% = 8.5% (w/i 12); 16.4% (ever)(ever)

Burke = 0% (w/i 12); 0% (ever)Burke = 0% (w/i 12); 0% (ever)

Columbia = 10.2% (w/i 12); 12.2% Columbia = 10.2% (w/i 12); 12.2% (ever)(ever)

Richmond = 3.5% (w/i 12); 8.5% (ever)Richmond = 3.5% (w/i 12); 8.5% (ever)

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Foster Care PopulationFoster Care Population• Augusta Circuit has 38 Augusta Circuit has 38

children per 10,000 in children per 10,000 in the population in foster the population in foster care care (47 per 10K statewide)(47 per 10K statewide)

• Last year, Augusta’s # in Last year, Augusta’s # in care held fairly steady care held fairly steady while the statewide while the statewide number fellnumber fell– On March 31On March 31stst, 2007; , 2007;

Augusta had 39 per 10K (51 Augusta had 39 per 10K (51 sw)sw)

– On March 31On March 31stst , 2008; , 2008; Augusta had 38 per 10K (43 Augusta had 38 per 10K (43 sw)sw) 19191919

Average # of Children in CareAverage # of Children in Care

2020

StatewideStatewide = 47 = 47 (per 10K)(per 10K)

Burke =24 Burke =24 (per 10K)(per 10K)

Columbia = 10 Columbia = 10 (per 10K)(per 10K)

Richmond =57 Richmond =57 (per 10K)(per 10K)

2020

Length of StayLength of Stay• Over time, Augusta’s

children have generally stayed in state custody for shorter times than the statewide median.• Median length of stay,

children in care on 3/31/07 = 7.8 months (13.9 s.w.)

• Median length of stay, children in care on 3/31/08 = 9.9 months (14.7 s.w.)

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Placement SettingsPlacement Settings

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Placement StabilityPlacement Stability

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• Of all children in care Of all children in care on March 31, 2008:on March 31, 2008:

– 74% had two or fewer 74% had two or fewer moves during their moves during their time in care.time in care.• 56% statewide56% statewide

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Of all children who were in care on 3/31/07, 54% of them had achieved permanency within 12 months - compared to the statewide rate of 42%.

Achieving Permanency w/i 12 Achieving Permanency w/i 12 monthsmonths

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Achieving Permanency w/i 12 Achieving Permanency w/i 12 monthsmonths

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StatewideStatewide = 42% = 42%

Burke = 43%Burke = 43%

Columbia = 87%Columbia = 87%

Richmond = 51%Richmond = 51%

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Reasons for Discharge

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ReunificationReunification• Of children discharged Of children discharged

to reunification from to reunification from 4/07 through 3/08:4/07 through 3/08:– 81% were reunified 81% were reunified

within 12 months within 12 months (vs. 71% s.w.)(vs. 71% s.w.)

– 4% were reunified 4% were reunified within 72 hours (vs. within 72 hours (vs. 9% s.w.)9% s.w.)

– Median months Median months from removal to from removal to reunification = 7.1 reunification = 7.1 months (7.1 s.w.) months (7.1 s.w.) 27272727

Reunified w/i 12 monthsReunified w/i 12 months

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StatewideStatewide = = 71%71%

Circuit = 81%Circuit = 81%

Burke = 33%Burke = 33%

Columbia = 65%Columbia = 65%

Richmond = Richmond = 86%86%

StatewideStatewide = 7.1 = 7.1

Circuit = 7.1 Circuit = 7.1

Burke = 12.6Burke = 12.6

Columbia = 7.6Columbia = 7.6

Richmond = 7.1Richmond = 7.1

Median TimeMedian Time (in (in months)months)

ReunificationReunification

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RelativesRelatives

• PLACEMENT: Children in relative care on PLACEMENT: Children in relative care on 3/31/08 = 27% (18% sw)3/31/08 = 27% (18% sw)

• DISCHARGE: Of all children discharged DISCHARGE: Of all children discharged between 4/07 and 3/08, 34% were discharged between 4/07 and 3/08, 34% were discharged to a relative (24% sw)to a relative (24% sw)

• TIME: Median months from removal to relative TIME: Median months from removal to relative discharge = 8.6 months (11.4 sw)discharge = 8.6 months (11.4 sw)

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PlacementPlacement DischargeDischarge TimeTime

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StatewideStatewide = = 18%18% 24%24% 11.411.4

Circuit =Circuit = 27%27% 34%34% 8.68.6

Burke = Burke = 7%7% 69% 69% 3.03.0

Columbia =Columbia = 38%38% 45%45% 8.38.3

Richmond = Richmond = 26%26% 30%30% 10.110.1

RelativesRelatives

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Guardianship…Guardianship…

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Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• 44% of those with TPR 44% of those with TPR on 3/31/2007 on 3/31/2007 achieved permanency achieved permanency w/i 12 months (vs. w/i 12 months (vs. 32% s.w.)32% s.w.)

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• 47% of children in 47% of children in non-relative care over non-relative care over 24 months have both 24 months have both TPRs (vs. 38% s.w.)TPRs (vs. 38% s.w.)

National Policy Debate

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TPR to TPR to Permanency w/i Permanency w/i

12 months12 months

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StatewideStatewide = = 32%32%

Circuit = 44%Circuit = 44%

Burke = naBurke = na

Columbia = Columbia = 100%100%

Richmond = Richmond = 42%42%

StatewideStatewide = = 38%38%

Circuit = 47%Circuit = 47%

Burke = 0%Burke = 0%

Columbia = 0%Columbia = 0%

Richmond = Richmond = 55%55%

Non-relative care over Non-relative care over 2424 months; with TPR months; with TPR

TPR

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Adoption

• DISCHARGE: Of all children discharged DISCHARGE: Of all children discharged between 4/07 and 3/08, 11% were between 4/07 and 3/08, 11% were discharged to adoption (14% sw)discharged to adoption (14% sw)– Total of 32 childrenTotal of 32 children

• Median months from removal to adoption Median months from removal to adoption discharge = 38.6 months (33.4 s.w.)discharge = 38.6 months (33.4 s.w.)

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% of Discharges% of Discharges

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StatewideStatewide = = 14%14%

Circuit = 11%Circuit = 11%

Burke = 2%Burke = 2%

Columbia = 0%Columbia = 0%

Richmond = Richmond = 14%14%

StatewideStatewide = = 33.433.4

Circuit = 38.6Circuit = 38.6

Burke = 85.5Burke = 85.5

Columbia = naColumbia = na

Richmond = Richmond = 38.438.4

TimeTime(in months)(in months)

Adoptions

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Adoption Timeliness

• 9% were adopted w/i 9% were adopted w/i 24 months (vs 22% 24 months (vs 22% sw)sw)

• 66% were adopted w/i 66% were adopted w/i 48 months (vs 78% 48 months (vs 78% sw)sw)

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Augusta CircuitAugusta CircuitData SummaryData Summary

StrengthsStrengths ChallengesChallenges

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Data and charts (including Data and charts (including semi-annual updates) available semi-annual updates) available at:at:www.fosteringcourtimprovement.org/www.fosteringcourtimprovement.org/

gagaContact me anytime for assistance with interpreting them…

Beth Locker404-463-5227lockerb@gaaoc.us

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