FAQs

Users are able to select data tables that group related outcomes and choose the specific state(s) and years that they wish to view. Users can also select to view data in a table or bar graph.

Users may export the data they view in a variety of ways, including copying the data, exporting it to Excel, PDF, or as a CSV file, or printing it directly from the site.

A new feature on the data site is a dynamic search function that allows users to search for data tables on the site using keywords.

The site also includes static data profiles for each state that users may view or print, as well as any formal comments submitted by states about their data.

Data for the outcome measures come from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ two national child welfare-related data systems—the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) and the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS).

The Children's Bureau also collects data on caseworker visits which are included in the report and on this site. Demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau is also displayed on the site and in the report.

Data quality checks are performed on AFCARS and NCANDS data submited by the states. A hyphen "-" indicates that the data point was not submitted by the state. The symbol "DQ*" indicates that the data for that measure did not meet data quality criteria that year and was subsequently removed. See the Methodology page for more information on data quality.

The purpose of this site is to provide the latest state data in a timely manner. The full report provides these data and additional information, including detailed descriptions of the data measures and analyses, rates of change over time, and summaries of data findings. The site enables readers to view race/ethnicity data using two different breakdown options, whereas the full report only provides the traditional race/ethnicity breakdowns.

The traditional race and ethnicity breakdown displays non-Hispanic race categories and a category of Hispanic children of any race.

The alternate breakdown treats race and ethnicity as two separate categories that are not mutually exclusive, and displays race categories that are combined with a Hispanic/Non-Hispanic designation.

Yes.

This site features the most current Child Welfare Outcomes Report data, from 2017 through 2021.

New Report data will become available as it is processed and analyzed by the Children's Bureau and reviewed and approved by the states.

ACF has 10 Regional Offices that serve states, territories, tribes, and other grantees in their geographical areas. Regional Offices oversee the administration of various ACF programs, including those managed by the Children's Bureau. The regions guide the programmatic and financial management of ACF programs in their jurisdictions and provide assistance, resources, and information to the various entities responsible for administering these programs. Regional Offices represent ACF to state, county, city, and tribal governments, grantees, and public and private organizations.

Data were prepared on the following dates:

• 2017–2021 AFCARS data as of: June 28, 2022
• 2017–2021 NCANDS data as of: April 01, 2022
• 2017–2021 Census Bureau data as of: September 12, 2022
Note: (2020 Experimental poverty data as of: December 06, 2021)
• 2017–2021 caseworker visit data as of: March 21, 2022