Data collection and analysis can yield essential information to guide child welfare decision-making and practice improvements. Data and statistics provide a foundation for agencies to respond to Federal and State reporting requirements, such as for the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System, and requests from agency leadership, policymakers, and funders, which can support sustainability. They also may support agencies’ continuous quality improvement efforts.
Data can help child welfare professionals, policymakers, and others better recognize the extent of racial, ethnic, and other disproportionality and disparity in their systems and across the country. These data can assist us in having transparent, objective discussions, and we can only measure our success moving forward if we know the full magnitude of the problem. Similarly, we need to address how bias is infused in existing data and seek ways to remove bias in future efforts.
When looking for the most current data, remember that statistical publications often are released several years after the period being analyzed due to the time needed to collect and analyze the data.
Explore these resources to learn how to use data to improve child welfare practice. Adjust the filters below to refine your list of resources.
Can’t find what you need in the filtered results? Try searching our Library catalog to access a large selection of peer-reviewed journal articles, evaluation reports, Children’s Bureau grant materials, research studies, and more.
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Child Welfare Outcomes Report Data
Find the most recent data compiled as part of the Child Welfare Outcomes reports to Congress, including findings and analyses on performance in seven categories across the United States.
Data & Research
Offers access to data and statistics that the Children’s Bureau collects, including from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System, the National Abuse and Neglect Data System, the National Youth in Transition Database, and Child Welf ...Read More
National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (NDACAN)
Find information on the data archive from leading researchers that preserve and distribute quantitative data regarding child abuse and neglect, documentation, and support workforce to collaborate and learn.
Data and Statistics: AFCARS
Presents national summaries, State reports, and foster care and adoption trends from data collected through the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis Reporting System during each fiscal year. Data sets include entering and exiting care, age, and race.
Data and Statistics: NYTD
Presents trends from the National Youth in Transition Database, which collects information of youth and young adults who have been in care and have received independent living services as part of the Chafee Program.
Collaborating to Collect and Use Data to Inform Quality Contacts
Learn how to develop collaborative strategies to effectively collect, analyze, and utilize data as it contributes to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of quality contacts for a child welfare agency.