Paper
The US adoption and foster care analysis and reporting system and cross-national research on foster care
- issue: Issue 2 / 2008
- authors: Robin Spath
- keywords: foster care, cross-national research, Afcars, Usa
- views: 4241
- downloaded: 0
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abstract
Background. Foster care "is attracting growing attention around the world as a service for children and youths who are placed in out-of-home care or at risk for such placement" and recently there has been a call for more extensive cross-national studies to better understand best practices in this area (Maluccio, Canali, & Vecchiato, 2006, p. 491). However, research in this area can be challenging since the nature of child welfare services is evolving and complex (Maluccio et al., 2006). This paper will discuss using the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), a national-level database in the United States, for cross-national research. The limitations of this database will be reviewed, and the implications that these have for cross-national research will be discussed. Finally, this paper will suggest changes to the AFCARS data system to address these issues, as well as other research strategies, so that more extensive cross-national studies can be considered.
Findings. Recent statistics indicate that over 500,000 children are in out-of-home care in the United States (US Children's Bureau, n.d.). The data from a cohort of this size can contribute greatly to cross-national research in this area. In the United States, there is only one national database that collects data regarding children removed from their parents and placed in out-of-home care - the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS). Each state is required to submit information for the database semi-annually, however in recent years, there has been concern expressed regarding the validity and reliability of the information in the database (Office of Inspector General, 2003). States have indicated that many of the data elements are not clearly and consistently defined" and there is concern about how this could affect outcome performance measures (Office of Inspector General, 2003, p. ii). Each state also uses different methods for determining and reporting discharge dates, as well as information on juvenile justice populations. In addition, the AFCARS data base provides a snapshot of children at specific points in time. Although this provides useful information from a management perspective, it does not allow for tracking the well-being of children over time. These differences make it challenging to do state-to-state comparisons, as well as cross-national comparisons with the United States.
Several strategies would address these issues and increase the feasibility of conducting cross-national research with AFCARS data. The United States Administration for Children and Families (ACF) is the governmental department responsible for providing guidelines and technical assistance to the states for AFCARS. To strengthen AFCARS, it is recommended that ACF provide uniform definitions for all the data elements. The Child Welfare League of America and the National Data Analysis System have published issue briefs outlining clearer definitions for many data elements in AFCARS. In addition, AFCARS would be strengthened with the collection of longitudinal data, in addition to cross sectional data. This would enhance the current AFCARS data and provide a clearer understanding of the length of time children are in care. Another major weakness of the AFCARS system is that it does not provide information on the types of services provided or the length of time of interventions. Including elements in this area would provide a better understanding of the different types of interventions and supports that these families are being provided, and may also help us to better understand the impact of these services. These suggested changes would increase the reliability and validity of the national AFCARS data base, and allow for cross-national comparisons of some key data elements.
Another strategy for conducting foster care cross-national research is to work with AFCARS data from individual states, rather than the national database. In an International Study of children in out of home care, Thoburn (2007) worked closely with researchers in three states, and used data primarily from the AFCARS state-level data in two states: North Carolina and Washington. State level data may also provide information on the types and length of services provided to children and their families. Working directly with individual states allows for clarification of definitions of specific data elements and access to data on service provision, and provides greater opportunities for cross-national comparisons with specific geographic areas within the United States.
It is clear that foster care is gaining increased attention internationally, and that cross-national research would create a better understanding of the types of families and children that are becoming involved with the foster care system, and the best practices in this area. The strategies suggested in this discussion would increase the opportunities for researchers to include the United States in studies in this area and to conduct more extensive cross-national research in foster care services and outcomes.
Key references
Maluccio, A. N., Canali, C., & Vecchiato, T. (2006). Family foster care: Cross-national research perspectives. Families in Society, 87(4), 491-495.
Office of Inspector General. (2003). Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS): Challenges and Limitations. Washington, DC: Department of Health and Human Services.
Perrin, E. B., & Koshel, J. J. (Eds.). (1997). Assessment of Performance Measures for Public Health, Substance Abuse, and Mental Health. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.
Thoburn, J. (2007). Globalisation and child welfare: Some lessons from a cross-national study of children in out-of-home care. Norwich, England: University of East Anglia.
US Children's Bureau. (n.d.). Trends in Foster Care and Adoption: FY2000-FY2005 [Electronic Version]. Retrieved October 8, 2007 from http://www.acf.hhs.gov /programs/cb/stats_research/afcars/trends2000-2005.pdf.
Contacts: Robin Spath, University of Connecticut, School of Social Work, 1789 Asylum Avenue, West Hartford, CT 06824 USA, Email: Robin.spath@uconn.edu; Telephone: (860) 570-9069