CHILD WELFARE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD OF
OCTOBER 1, 1999 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2000

ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES
[LAWS 1999, CHAPTER 37]

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY
DIVISION OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
S.B. 1229
OCTOBER 1, 1999 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2000

Arizona Revised Statutes §8-526, as amended by Laws 1999, Chapter 37 requires the Arizona
Department of Economic Security (DES) to compile information semi-annually and produce a
report for the periods ending on March 31st and September 30th of each year regarding the Child
Welfare Service Program, including Child Protective Services (CPS). This semi-annual report,
submitted in satisfaction of that mandate, is for the period of October 1, 1999 through March 31,
2000. It provides information about child abuse and neglect reports, investigations, substantiated
investigations, type of services provided, shelter and foster home services, visitation compliance,
children in out-of-home care, length of time in care, reason children have left care, children placed
for adoption and Child Protective Services staff.
During this reporting period, Child Protective Services Central Intake received 16,301 reports of
child abuse, neglect and abandonment. Of these reports, 96 were within the jurisdiction of
military or tribal governments and were referred to those jurisdictions. The Department responded
to 100% of the remaining 16,205 reports. This response rate has been maintained by the Division
since January, 1998. During the reporting period, an additional 7,297 communications were
received by Child Protective Services Central Intake that did not meet the criteria of a report.
During the reporting period, there were 1,524 substantiated findings of abuse or neglect. In-home
services were received in 674 of these cases, out-of-home services were received in 603 of these
cases, and 821 of these cases were closed after investigation because the children were not found
to be at imminent risk of abuse. For those cases closed after investigation, the families may have
received short-term support services through DES or through referrals to community agencies.
These services may include, but are not limited to, child care, parent aide, parenting classes,
substance abuse and mental health services.
On March 31, 2000, there were 7,054 children in out-of-home care in Arizona. Of the total
number of children in out-of-home care, there were 1,906 children placed with relatives. Two
thousand one hundred thirty-three (2,133) children of the 7,054 in out-of-home care had a case
plan goal of adoption, and 1,558 of the children with a case plan goal of adoption were placed in
an adoptive home but the adoption had not yet been finalized. Two thousand six hundred fortynine (2,649) children had a case plan goal of “Return to Family”. Four thousand one hundred
sixty-nine (4,169 or 59%) of the total number of children had been in out-of home care for less
than two years. For children who had been in out-of-home care longer than two years, each had a
case plan goal developed to lead to permanency.
At the end of the reporting period, 2,995 children were in family foster home settings. There were
1,829 licensed foster homes this reporting period which is an increase of 4% over the previous
reporting period. The most common reason for foster home closures was the adoption of the
foster child. There were vacancies within these foster homes because not all of the spaces could
be matched to the children needing foster home placements. There are many reasons why a child
i

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

may not be able to use a particular foster home, including the abilities and preferences of the
foster family, the need to place the child near his or her family of origin for reunification purposes,
and other special placement needs of the child.
A.R.S. §8-516 requires supervision of foster care providers. Visitation must be done by a foster
home licensing case manager once a month for receiving foster homes, and once every three
months (quarterly) for regular and special foster homes. The required visitation was received by
1,581 (86%) of 1,829 foster homes this reporting period.
A.R.S. §8-516 also requires supervision of children in foster care. During this reporting period,
7,054 children in out-of-home care required visitation by their Child Protective Services case
manager. Visitation was accurately documented for 3,997 (57%) of these children. The
methodology for determining the number of children who require visitation has been changed
from the prior period. Both methodologies are based on the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis
and Reporting System (AFCARS) population of children in out-of-home care. The prior period’s
methodology determined the number of children who required visitation by excluding children on
runaway status and children in out-of-state placements from the population. The current
methodology uses the AFCARS population of children in out-of-home care without any
exclusions.
During the reporting period, 2,350 children left the care, custody and control of DES. The
following are the reasons and the number of children who left care: 1,995 of the children were
reunified with their parents or primary caretaker, 61 of the children were placed with other
relatives, 54 of the children reached the age of majority or were transferred to another agency, 1
child left due to a legal guardianship being established and 30 of the children left due to continued
runaway behavior and Child Protective Service’s (CPS) inability to locate these children. CPS
cannot close a case of a child who is a ward of the court without approval from the Court for case
dismissal. In addition, there were 403 children with finalized adoptions, this is an increase of 67
or 20% over the prior period.

ii

CHILD WELFARE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Arizona Revised Statute §8-526, as amended by Laws 1999, Chapter 37 requires the Arizona
Department of Economic Security (DES) to compile information and produce a semi-annual
report for the periods ending on March 31st and September 30th of each year regarding the Child
Welfare Services program, including Child Protective Services (CPS). This report which is
submitted in satisfaction of that mandate is for the semi-annual reporting period beginning on
October 1, 1999 and ending on March 31, 2000. It provides information relative to child abuse
and neglect reports, investigations, shelter and receiving home services, foster homes, length of
time in care, and Child Protective Services staffing, adoption services and visitation compliance.
The specific reporting requirements are as follows:

r

Child Protective Services reports

[A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(1)];

r Child Protective Services reports
.....responded to

[A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(2), (A)(3)];

r

[A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(4)(a)(b)(c)];

Child Protective Services case closures

r Child Protective Services direct service
.....staff

[A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(5)];

r

Children in shelter or receiving homes

[A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(6)];

r

Foster home availability and activity

[A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(7-10)];

r

Length of time in foster care

[A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(11)];

r

Case manager visitation compliance

[A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(12)];

r

Children leaving custody

[A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(13)](a)(b)(c)(d)];

r

Adoptive services

[A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(14-16)](a))b)(c)(d)(e)].

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES REPORTS
A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(1)
THE TOTAL NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED, BY MAJOR CATEGORY AND BY RISK LEVEL.
THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THOSE INCOMING
COMMUNICATIONS DETERMINED NOT TO MEET THE CRITERIA OF A REPORT AS CHOSEN BY
A RANDOM SAMPLE.

Between October 1, 1999 and March 31, 2000, there were 16,301 incoming communications to
the Child Abuse Hotline which met the criteria of a report of abuse or neglect. Of these, 96 were
within the jurisdiction of military or tribal governments and were referred to those jurisdictions.
This compares to 16,105 incoming communications received during the last reporting period
which met the criteria of a report of abuse or neglect.
The categories of “child abuse or neglect” are defined in A.R.S. §8-201 and A.R.S. §13-3623(A).
These definitions provide the major categories in this report.
As indicated in Chart 1, the period covering October 1999 through March 2000 shows 9,250 or
57% of the 16,301 reports of maltreatment were related to allegations of neglect, 5,747 or 35%
of the reports were related to allegations of physical abuse, 916 or 6% of the reports were related
to allegations of sexual abuse, and 388 or 2% of the reports were related to allegations of
emotional abuse.
As indicated in Chart 1A, the period covering April 1999 through September 1999 shows 9,334
or 58% of the 16,105 reports of maltreatment were related to allegations of neglect, 5,505 or
34% of the reports were related to allegations of physical abuse, 917 or 6% of the reports were
related to allegations of sexual abuse, and 349 or 2% of the reports were related to allegations of
emotional abuse.1

1

The Child Protective Services Priority System was changed to a Response System on October 15, 1999. As a result, the categories of abandonment
and non-sexual exploitation were combined with the category of neglect.

2

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 1
NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY MAJOR CATEGORY
FOR PERIOD OCTOBER 1, 1999 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2000

Number of Reports

12,000
10,000

9,250
57%

8,000

5,747
35%

6,000
4,000

916
6%

2,000
0

Neglect

Physical Abuse
S exual Abuse
Categories

388
2%
Emotional Abuse

N= 16,301
*Reports that are categorized as No Jurisdiction are included in the total for reports received .

Chart 1A
NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY MAJOR CATEGORY
FOR PERIOD APRIL 1, 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1999

Number of Reports

12,000
10,000

9,334
58%

8,000

5,505
34%

6,000
4,000

917
6%

2,000
0

Neglect

Physical Abuse

S exual Abuse

Categories
N= 16,105
*Reports that are categorized as No Jurisdiction are included in the total for reports received .

3

349
2%
Emotional Abuse

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 2 provides the number of reports received by report risk level for the October 1, 1999
through March 31, 2000 reporting period. Based on the type of maltreatment a risk level is
assigned to reports of alleged abuse.
Chart 2

Number of Reports

NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY RISK LEVEL FOR THE PERIOD
OCTOBER 1, 1999 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2000
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0

6,927
42%

2,246
14%

High

3,585
22%

3,543
22%

Moderate

Risk Level

Low

Potential

N= 16,301
*Reports that are categorized as No Jurisdiction are included in the total for reports received.

Chart 2A2
NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY RISK LEVEL FOR THE PERIOD
APRIL 1, 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
10,000
7,309
45%

Number of Reports

9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000

2,389
15%

3,524
22%

2,883
18%

2,000
1,000
0

High

Moderate

Risk Level

Low

Potential

N=16,105
*Reports that are categorized as No Jurisdiction are included in the total for reports received.

2

On October 15, 1999 the CPS priority system was changed to a response system. Priority 1= High Risk, Priority 2 = Moderate Risk, Priority 3 =
Low Risk, and Priority 4 = Potential Risk.

4

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

In addition to the 16,301 reports presented in Chart 1, the Child Abuse Hotline received 7,297
communications that did not meet the statutory criteria of a report of maltreatment. A random
sample of these communications is contained in Chart 3.

Chart 3

Number of Communications

SAMPLE OF COMMUNICATIONS TO THE CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE THAT DO NOT MEET THE
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF A REPORT OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT
80
70
60

55
61%

50
40
30

9
10%

20
10
0

A

B

18
20%

C

0
0%

2
2%

D
Categories

E

6
7%
F

0
0%
G

N=90

A = Concern Only/No Allegation of Child Abuse or Neglect
B = Out of CPS Jurisdiction
C = Call Appropriate for Law Enforcement Jurisdiction3
D = Non-Caretaker Neglect/Child No Longer at Risk
E = Insufficient Information
F = Truancy/Custody Issues
G = Current Case Questions or Referrals

All communications that do not meet the statutory requirements for a field investigation of abuse
or neglect are reviewed within forty-eight (48) hours by DES Quality Assurance staff.

3

The category “Call Appropriate for Law Enforcement” refers to a situation where the alleged perpetrator is not a parent or primary caretaker and the
allegations, if true, would constitute a crime.

5

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES INVESTIGATIONS
A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(2)
THE NUMBER OF REPORTS NOT RESPONDED TO BY RISK LEVEL, BY COUNTY, AND
STATEWIDE. THE REPORT SHALL INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THESE CASES
CHOSEN BY RANDOM SAMPLE.

Effective January 1, 1998, the Department implemented the Family Builders Pilot Program, a
community-based program operating in Maricopa and Pima counties, designed to provide services
to families who are the subject of selected low risk and potential risk reports. On October 4,
1999, Yavapai, Coconino, Navajo, and Apache counties implemented the Family Builders
program. Graham, Greenlee, Cochise, and Santa Cruz counties implemented the Family Builders
program on November 17, 1999. Of the 16,2054 reports deemed appropriate for investigation,
CPS assigned 12,044 reports to CPS Specialists for an investigation. The Department referred
4,161 reports to Family Builders for response, which resulted in a combined response rate of
100% for the reporting period. Ninety-six reports were within the jurisdiction of the military or
tribal governments and were referred to those jurisdictions for investigation.

4

Ninety-six reports falling within the jurisdiction of military or tribal governments are excluded from this number.

6

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES INVESTIGATIONS (Cont.)
A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(3)
THE NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED
COUNTY, AND STATEWIDE.

TO

BY RISK LEVEL, BY MAJOR CATEGORY, BY

As shown in Tables 1 and 1A, and Tables 2 and 2A by report risk level, between October 1,
1999 through March 31, 2000, there were 12,044 CPS investigations, and 4,161 reports referred
to Family Builders for 16,205 total responses5.

Table 1
NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED TO BY RISK LEVEL AND COUNTY
FOR PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 1999 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2000
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

5

HIGH
10
82
103
60
11
6
10
1,320
64
41
320
52
24
71
72
2,246
14%

MODERATE
17
99
124
80
18
13
11
2,071
118
25
668
115
15
120
91
3,585
22%

LOW
32
218
245
180
35
7
18
3,892
219
61
1,350
212
31
266
161
6,927
42%

POTENTIAL
10
154
46
89
13
3
14
1,910
134
16
673
83
2
315
81
3,543
22%

TOTAL
69
553
518
409
77
29
53
9,193
535
143
3,011
462
72
772
405
16,301
100%

% OF TOTAL
<1%
3%
3%
3%
<1%
<1%
<1%
56%
3%
1%
19%
3%
<1%
5%
3%
100%

Ninety-six reports falling within the jurisdiction of military or tribal governments were referred to those jurisdictions for investigation and were
excluded from the calculation of the investigation rate, but are included in Table 1.

7

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 1A6
NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED TO BY RISK LEVEL AND COUNTY
FOR PERIOD OF APRIL 1, 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

6

HIGH
19
87
75
28
8
1
8
1,429
64
61
391
82
22
58
56
2,389
15%

MODERATE
15
73
35
39
24
5
7
1,742
85
40
504
141
11
95
67
2,883
18%

LOW
28
199
185
93
45
11
26
4,093
252
129
1,506
267
30
283
162
7,309
45%

POTENTIAL
15
99
104
57
18
12
15
1,937
120
65
736
119
17
120
90
3,524
22%

TOTAL
77
458
399
217
95
29
56
9,201
521
295
3,137
609
80
556
375
16,105
100%

% OF TOTAL
<1%
3%
3%
1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
57%
3%
2%
20%
4%
<1%
3%
2%
100%

On October 15, 1999 the CPS priority system was changed to a response system. Priority 1= High Risk, Priority 2 = Moderate Risk, Priority 3 =
Low Risk, and Priority 4 = Potential Risk. In addition seventy-two reports falling within the jurisdiction of military or tribal governments were
referred to those jurisdictions for investigation and were excluded from the calculation of the investigation rate, but are included in Table 1A.

8

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 27
NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED TO BY MAJOR CATEGORY AND COUNTY
FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 1999 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2000
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

EMOTIONAL
ABUSE
2
23
21
17
1
0
0
186
13
2
81
12
1
19
10
388
2%

NEGLECT
40
326
300
247
49
9
30
5,222
285
91
1,671
263
40
423
254
9,250
57%

PHYSICAL
ABUSE
20
176
161
122
21
11
19
3,270
207
46
1,101
156
26
298
113
5,747
35%

SEXUAL
ABUSE
7
28
36
23
6
9
4
515
30
4
158
31
5
32
28
916
6%

TOTAL

% OF TOTAL

69
553
518
409
77
29
53
9,193
535
143
3,011
462
72
772
405
16,301
100%

<1%
3%
3%
2%
<1%
<1%
<1%
57%
3%
1%
19%
3%
<1%
5%
2%
100%

Table 2A8
NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED TO BY MAJOR CATEGORY AND COUNTY
FOR THE PERIOD OF APRIL 1, 1999 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

EMOTIONAL
ABUSE
4
9
10
6
5
1
0
158
13
7
87
17
6
15
11
349
2%

NEGLECT
41
261
232
135
54
9
35
5,420
301
187
1,780
327
45
297
210
9,334
58%

PHYSICAL
ABUSE
23
163
137
63
31
17
21
3,143
173
82
1,069
228
24
205
126
5,505
34%

7

Ninety-six reports were classified as no jurisdiction and are included in Table 2.

8

Seventy-two reports were classified as no jurisdiction and are included in Table 2A.

9

SEXUAL
ABUSE
9
25
20
13
5
2
0
480
34
19
201
37
5
39
28
917
6%

TOTAL

% OF TOTAL

77
458
399
217
95
29
56
9,201
521
295
3,137
609
80
556
375
16,105
100%

<1%
3%
2%
1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
57%
3%
2%
19%
4%
<1%
3%
2%
100%

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

SUBSTANTIATED AFTER INVESTIGATION FINDINGS
A.R.S. §8-526(A)(4)(a)(b)(c)
THE NUMBER OF REPORTS WITH A SUBSTANTIATED FINDING AFTER INVESTIGATION, BY
RISK LEVEL, BY COUNTY, AND STATEWIDE THAT RESULTED IN:
(a) THE CASE BEING CLOSED AFTER AN INVESTIGATION.
(b) IN-HOME SERVICES BEING PROVIDED AFTER AN INVESTIGATION.
(c) OUT-OF-HOME SERVICES BEING PROVIDED AFTER AN INVESTIGATION.

During the reporting period 10,705 reports were investigated and subject to substantiation, with
1,524 or 14% of the reports resulting in a substantiated finding of child abuse or neglect.9 This
compares to a revised substantiation rate from 13% to 23% for the period of April 1999 through
September 1999.
The substantiation rate is revised to take into account the increase in substantiated reports that
have cleared the appeals process, as well as the change in the substantiation methodology. The
new substantiation methodology is calculated by dividing the number of substantiated reports by
the total number of reports. Reports categorized as “potential”, reports referred to the Family
Builders program and reports in the “no jurisdiction” category are not calculated into the
substantiation rate.
Since the appeals process delays the substantiation of reports, revisions to the substantiation rate
for the prior reporting period will occur with every semi-annual report produced. Therefore, the
14% substantiation rate for this period will be revised in the next report.

9

As of January 25, 1999 the Department does not substantiate potential risk reports.

10

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 310
NUMBER OF REPORTS WITH SUBSTANTIATED FINDINGS IN
WHICH THE CASE WAS CLOSED AFTER INVESTIGATION
BY RISK LEVEL AND COUNTY FOR THE PERIOD OF
OCTOBER 1, 1999 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2000
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

HIGH
0
16
7
2
0
0
0
135
6
2
32
3
0
4
6
213
26%

MODERATE
0
6
2
4
3
0
2
212
6
0
56
7
2
5
8
313
38%

LOW
0
25
7
3
1
0
1
165
8
3
64
2
1
11
4
295
36%

POTENTIAL
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0%

TOTAL
0
47
16
9
4
0
3
512
20
5
152
12
3
20
18
821
100%

% OF TOTAL
0%
7%
2%
1%
<1%
0%
<1%
62%
2%
<1%
19%
1%
<1%
2%
2%
100%

Of the reports with substantiated findings that were closed after investigation, one or more of the
following actions took place: the parent(s) refused services11; appropriate referrals to community
providers were made; or short-term services, such as child care, parent aide, parenting classes,
substance abuse treatment or mental health services, were provided. The report risk level is
determined by the highest risk level allegation in a report, in which at least one allegation is
substantiated. However, this does not necessarily reflect the risk level of the substantiated
allegation.

10

The reports in Tables 3 through 5 are not mutually exclusive. The reports may simultaneously receive in-home services, out-of-home services, as
well as services through the community.

11

A.R.S. §8-803 provides that the Department has “no legal authority to compel the family to cooperate with the investigation or to receive protective
services offered pursuant to the investigation.”

11

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 4
NUMBER OF REPORTS WITH SUBSTANTIATED FINDINGS AFTER
INVESTIGATION IN WHICH IN-HOME SERVICES WERE PROVIDED
BY RISK LEVEL AND BY COUNTY FOR THE PERIOD OF
OCTOBER 1, 1999 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2000
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

HIGH MODERATE LOW POTENTIAL TOTAL % OF TOTAL
0
1
0
0
1
<1%
16
17
23
0
56
8%
7
7
1
0
15
2%
3
2
4
0
9
1%
2
2
2
0
6
1%
1
2
0
0
3
<1%
0
0
0
0
0
0%
133
110
68
0
311
46%
6
3
5
0
14
2%
1
0
0
0
1
<1%
78
91
60
0
229
34%
5
0
1
0
6
1%
4
2
0
0
6
1%
3
0
3
0
6
1%
5
2
4
0
11
2%
264
239
171
0
674
100%
39%
36%
25%
0%
100%

Table 5
NUMBER OF REPORTS WITH SUBSTANTIATED FINDINGS IN WHICH OUT-OF-HOME
SERVICES WERE PROVIDED BY RISK LEVEL
AND BY COUNTY FOR THE PERIOD OF
OCTOBER 1, 1999 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2000
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

HIGH MODERATE LOW POTENTIAL TOTAL % OF TOTAL
0
1
0
0
1
<1%
17
8
11
0
36
6%
13
5
2
0
20
3%
3
0
4
0
7
1%
2
0
2
0
4
1%
1
0
0
0
1
<1%
0
0
0
0
0
0%
131
70
42
0
243
40%
6
1
4
0
11
2%
1
0
1
0
2
<1%
92
94
57
0
243
40%
6
0
1
0
7
1%
3
2
0
0
5
1%
8
0
6
0
14
2%
3
3
3
0
9
2%
286
184
133
0
603
100%
47%
31%
22%
0%
100%
12

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES DIRECT SERVICE STAFF
A.R.S. §8-526(A)(5)
THE NUMBER OF DIRECT CLIENT SERVICE POSITIONS THAT
THE REPORTING PERIOD.

ARE

VACANT

AT THE

END

OF

The Department has a 21.5% annualized turnover rate. Due to this turnover rate, the Department
has developed a pool of workers who are trained to fill vacant positions as they arise. As a result,
there were no authorized direct client positions vacant on March 31, 2000.

13

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

CHILDREN IN SHELTER OR RECEIVING HOMES
A.R.S. §8-526(A)(6)
THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE REMAINED IN A SHELTER OR
RECEIVING HOME FOR MORE THAN TWENTY-ONE CONSECUTIVE DAYS, BY THE CHILD’S
AGE GROUP.

The number of children, by the child’s age group, that remained in a shelter or receiving home for
more than 21 consecutive days for the period is 1,173 and is shown in Chart 4. For the period of
October 1999 through March 2000, 733 or 62% of the children were six years of age or older. In
addition, 125 or 11% of the children were under one year.

Chart 4
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN IN SHELTER OR RECEIVING HOMES FOR MORE
THAN 21 CONSECUTIVE DAYS BY AGE OF CHILD FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 1999
THROUGH MARCH 31, 2000

Number of Children

500
315
27%

400
300
200

288
24%

201
17%

125
11%

160
14%

84
7%

100
0

Under 1 year

1-5

6-9

10-12

Ages of Children

N=1,173

14

13-16

17 and over

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

FOSTER HOME AVAILABILITY
A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(7)
THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF LICENSED FOSTER HOMES AND THE NUMBER OF LICENSED AND
AVAILABLE SPACES IN THOSE HOMES.

As of March 31, 2000 there were 1,829 licensed foster homes with 4,771 spaces available for
Administration for Children, Youth, and Families (ACYF) placements. Licensed foster homes
include family foster homes, professional family foster homes, respite foster homes, and receiving
foster homes.
Foster home licenses specify the age range, gender and maximum number of children that can be
placed in a home. Foster parents, in consultation with the licensing worker, decide the type of
physical, behavioral and psychological needs of children they can effectively parent based upon
their own skill level, experiences and desires.
As of March 31, 2000 there were 732 vacant spaces within these foster homes. Approximately
343 additional spaces were unavailable or set aside for receiving and respite care services. Of the
vacant spaces, a match between the available spaces and children’s needs was not possible.

15

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

FOSTER HOME ACTIVITY
A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(8)
THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF LICENSED FOSTER HOMES THAT LEAVE
SYSTEM AND THE REASON FOR THE EXIT.

THE

FOSTER CARE

During the reporting period 232 new homes were licensed to provide foster care and 153 homes
left the system. This compares to 180 new homes being licensed and 159 homes leaving the
system for the period covering April 1999 through September 1999.
Chart 5 gives the reasons for foster home closures for the period of October 1, 1999 through
March 31, 2000.

Chart 5
REASON FOR FOSTER HOME CLOSURE FOR THE PERIOD OF
OCTOBER 1, 1999 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2000

Number of Foster Homes

70
60
50
40

48
31%

40
26%
20
13%

30
20

16
10%

13
8%

10
1%

10

3
2%

3
2%

0
A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

Closure R easons

N= 153

A = Personal or Family Issues or Problems

E = Family Relocation

B = Other or Foster Parent Did Not State Reason

F = Child Left Care

C = Non-Compliance with Licensing Requirements

G = Philosophical Disagreement

D = Adoption of Foster Child

H = Behavior of Child

16

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

FOSTER HOME ACTIVITY-VISITATION(Cont.)
A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(9)
THE NUMBER OF LICENSED FOSTER HOMES THAT RECEIVE THE REQUIRED VISITATION BY
CASE MANAGERS PURSUANT TO SECTION §8-516.

During the reporting period there were 1,829 foster homes that required visitation. Of those
homes 1,581 or 86% received the required visitation. This compares to 1,582 or 90% of the
foster homes that received the required visitation for the period April 1999 through September
1999.

Chart 6
THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF FOSTER HOMES
WHO RECEIVED THE REQUIRED VISITATION*

Number of Homes

2,500
1,582
90%

2,000

1,581
86%

1,500
1,000
177
10%

500
0

Number Visited

248
14%

Number Not Visited

April 1999-S eptember 1999

October 1999-March 2000

N= 1,759 April 1999 - September 1999
N= 1,829 October 1999 - March 2000

*Required visitations to foster homes, for license monitoring purposes, are performed by licensing case managers.

17

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

FOSTER HOME ACTIVITY-CHILD VISITATION(Cont.)
A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(10)
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN PLACED IN THE CARE, CUSTODY AND CONTROL OF THE
DEPARTMENT AT THE END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD AND THE NUMBER OF THESE
CHILDREN WHO RECEIVE THE REQUIRED VISITATION BY CASE MANAGERS PURSUANT TO
SECTION §8-516.
At the end of the reporting period there were 7,054 children in out-of-home care who required
visitation. Of these children, visitation was accurately documented in the automated system for
3,997 children or 57%. The Department has verified that more children received the required
visitation than is indicated in Chart 7. This information is clearly documented in the automated
case notes. However, the Department is unable to compile and tabulate data based solely upon
case note text. We continue to issue instructions to all direct service staff regarding the system
requirements for capturing all visitations. A child was deemed to have received the required
visitation if the child received the visitation during the last month of the reporting period.
Chart 712
THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WHO
RECEIVED THE REQUIRED VISITATION13

Number of Children

6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000

2,986
45%

3,997
57%

3,682
56%

3,057
43%

2,000
1,000
0

Number Visited

Number Not Visited

April 1999-S eptember 1999

October 1999-March 2000

N= 6,668 April 1999-September 1999
N= 7,054 October 1999-March 2000

12

The methodology for determining the number of children who require visitation has been changed from the prior period. Both methodologies are
based on the AFCARS population of children in out-of-home care. The prior methodology determined the number of children who required visitation
by excluding children on runaway status and children in out-of-state placements from the population. The current methodology uses the AFCARS
population of children in out-of-home care without any exclusions. The prior reporting period visitation rate has been revised to reflect the new
visitation methodology.
13
Required visitation is performed monthly by DES case managers, contracted case managers, and/or other professionals as approved by supervisor or
as established by policy.

18

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

OUT-OF-HOME CARE
A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(11)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)
THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WHO ARE IN THE CARE, CUSTODY AND
CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT AT THE END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD WHO ARE IN OUTOF-HOME PLACEMENT AND AS CATEGORIZED BY:
(a) AGE.
(b) ETHNICITY.
(c) CASE PLAN GOAL.
(d) TYPE OF OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT.
(e) LENGTH OF TIME IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT OF LESS THAN
THIRTY DAYS, THIRTY-ONE DAYS TO TWELVE CONSECUTIVE
MONTHS, TWELVE TO TWENTY-FOUR CONSECUTIVE MONTHS
AND MORE THAN TWENTY-FOUR CONSECUTIVE MONTHS.

On March 31, 2000, there were 7,054 children in out-of-home care. The increase in the number of
children in out-of-home care can be attributed to a change in methodologies from using provider
service authorizations to using child removal dates to conform to the AFCARS federal reporting
requirements.

Chart 8
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE BY AGE

Number of Children

3000
1,833 1,843
27% 26%

2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0

104
2%

1,390 1,329
21% 19%

1,088 1,088
16% 15%

1,768
1,615 25%
24%
638
10%

141
2%

Under 1

1-5

6-9

10-12

13-16

17 and Over

Ages of Children
April 1999- S eptember 1999

October 1999-March 2000

N= 6,668 April 1999-September 1999
N= 7,054 October 1999-March 2000

19

885
13%

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 9

Number of Children

THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE BY ETHNICITY
5000
4000
3000

3,216
3,206
48%
45%

2000

1,855
28%

2,238
32%

1000
0

White

Hispanic

1,087 1,138
16% 16%

373
6%

African Am

395
6%

34
<1%

Am Indian

42
<1%

Asian

103
2%

35
<1%

Other

Ethnicity
April 1999-S eptember 1999

October 1999-March 2000

N= 6,668 April 1999-September 1999
N= 7,054 October 1999-March 2000

Chart 10
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE BY CASE PLAN GOAL

Number of Children

4000
3500
3000
2500

2,290
34%

2,649
38%

2,186
33%

2,133
30%

2000
1500

697
10%

1000
500

493
7%

480
7%

548
8%

698
11%

876
12%

129
2%

146
2%

188
3%

209
3%

0
Return to
Family

Live With Other
Relatives

Adoption

Long Term
Foster Care

Independent
Living

Guardianship Case Plan Goal
Being
Developed

Case Plan Goals
April 1999-S eptember 1999

October 1999-March 2000

N= 6,668 April 1999-September 1999
N= 7,054 October 1999-March 2000

20

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 11

Number of Children

THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN CARE BY PLACEMENT TYPE
5000

3,088 2,995
46% 42%

4000
3000
2000

1,807 1,906
27% 27%

1,114 1,195
17%
17%

1000
0

Relative

NonRelative*

Group Home

478 557
7% 8%
Residential
Treatment

109
2%

91
1%

40
1%

Independent
Living

160
2%

Runaw ay

50
1%

132
2%

Trial Home
Visit

Out-of-Home Placement Types
April 1999-September 1999

October 1999-March 2000

N= 6,668 April 1999-September 1999
N= 7,054 October 1999-March 2000
* Category includes family foster homes.

The disparity between reporting periods in the number of children on runaway status is attributed
to a change in the methodology for gathering data on children in out-of-home care. The change
was necessitated by the AFCARS reporting requirements.

Chart 12
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE BY LENGTH OF TIME IN CARE

Number of Children

5000
4000
2,063
31%

3000
2000
1000
0

2,226
32%

1,699
25%

1,602
23%

2,624
39%

2,885
41%

341
4%

282
5%

30 days or less

31 days to 12 months

13 to 24 months

More than 24 months

Length of Time in Out-of-Home Care
April 1999-S eptember 1999

October 1999-March 2000

N= 6,668 April 1999-September 1999
N= 7,054 October 1999-March 2000

21

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(12)
IF THE CASE PLAN IS TO RETURN THE CHILD TO THE PARENT, THE PERCENTAGE
PARENTS WHO RECEIVE THE REQUIRED CONTACT BY CASE MANAGERS.

OF

According to ACYF policy, case managers shall have face-to-face contact with all parents at least
once a month, including any alleged parents and parents residing outside of the child’s home
where the case plan goal is family reunification or remain with family. During the reporting period
there were 963 parents who had a child with the case plan goal of return home. Of those parents
requiring the visitation, 572 or 59% received the required visitation. The 59% visitation rate does
not reflect attempted visitation where contact did not take place.

22

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

REASON FOR LEAVING DES CUSTODY
A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(13)(a)(b)(c)(d)
THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WHO LEFT THE CUSTODY OF THE
DEPARTMENT DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD BY REASON FOR LEAVING CARE AND AS
CATEGORIZED BY:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

AGE.
ETHNICITY.
NUMBER OF PLACEMENTS.
AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME IN FOSTER CARE.

During the reporting period 2,350 children left the custody of the Department. Tables 6 through
12 depict the reasons the child left custody, their age, their ethnicity, the number of placements
each child had, and the average length of time in foster care.
The reason for leaving care is based on information entered for a termination reason. If there is no
data indicating a termination reason, the reason for leaving care will default to “Reunification with
Parents”. This process may result in an over reporting of the number of children leaving for
reason of “Reunification with Parents” and an under reporting of the other categories.
There has been an increase in the number of children leaving the Department’s care. This increase
may be attributed to a change in our methodology for capturing data. The prior reporting period
used a methodology based on provider service authorizations. The current methodology is based
on child removal dates. The use of a child removal based methodology was utilized to conform to
the AFCARS federal reporting requirements.

23

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 6
TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY FOR THE END OF THE
REPORTING PERIOD ENDING ON MARCH 31, 2000
By Age

Number
34
671
534
300
452
359
2,350

Percentage
1%
29%
23%
13%
19%
15%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
1,220
665
278
154
9
24
2,350

Percentage
52%
28%
12%
6%
<1%
1%
100%

By Number of Placements
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
More than Five
Total

Number
1,091
332
222
201
148
356
2,350

Percentage
46%
14%
10%
9%
6%
15%
100%

By Length of Time in Care
Less than 30 Days
31 Days to 12 Months
13 to 24 Months
More than 24 Months
Total

Number
135
1,058
398
759
2,350

Percentage
6%
45%
17%
32%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 to 5
Ages 6 to 9
Ages 10 to 12
Ages 13 to 16
17 and Over
Total

24

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 7
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “REUNIFICATION WITH PARENTS OR PRIMARY CARETAKER” FOR
THE REPORTING PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 2000
By Age

Number
34
571
440
255
408
287
1,995

Percentage
1%
29%
22%
13%
21%
14%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
1,033
562
228
140
8
24
1,995

Percentage
52%
28%
11%
7%
<1%
1%
100%

By Number of Placements
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
More than Five
Total

Number
1,051
295
180
139
106
224
1,995

Percentage
53%
15%
9%
7%
5%
11%
100%

By Length of Time in Care
Less than 30 Days
31 Days to 12 Months
13 to 24 Months
More than 24 Months
Total

Number
134
1,026
339
496
1,995

Percentage
6%
52%
17%
25%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 to 5
Ages 6 to 9
Ages 10 to 12
Ages 13 to 16
17 and Over
Total

25

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 8
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “LIVING WITH OTHER RELATIVES” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING MARCH 31, 2000
By Age

Number
0
13
23
15
9
1
61

Percentage
0%
21%
38%
25%
15%
1%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
33
15
10
3
0
0
61

Percentage
54%
25%
16%
5%
0%
0%
100%

By Number of Placements
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
More than Five
Total

Number
15
19
12
5
1
9
61

Percentage
25%
31%
20%
8%
<1%
15%
100%

By Length of Time in Care
Less than 30 Days
31 Days to 12 Months
13 to 24 Months
More than 24 Months
Total

Number
0
9
22
30
61

Percentage
0%
15%
36%
49%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 to 5
Ages 6 to 9
Ages 10 to 12
Ages 13 to 16
17 and Over
Total

26

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 9
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES
CUSTODY FOR REASON OF “ADOPTION” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING MARCH 31, 2000
By Age

Number
0
87
70
30
21
1
209

Percentage
0%
42%
33%
14%
10%
<1%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
103
65
32
8
1
0
209

Percentage
49%
31%
15%
4%
<1%
0%
100%

By Number of Placements
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
More than Five
Total

Number
15
13
23
47
38
73
209

Percentage
7%
6%
11%
23%
18%
35%
100%

By Length of Time in Care
Less than 30 Days
31 Days to 12 Months
13 to 24 Months
More than 24 Months
Total

Number
0
4
23
182
209

Percentage
0%
2%
11%
87%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 to 5
Ages 6 to 9
Ages 10 to 12
Ages 13 to 16
17 and Over
Total

27

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 10
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASONS OF “REACHING AGE OF MAJORITY” AND TRANSFERRED TO
ANOTHER AGENCY” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD ENDING MARCH 31, 2000
By Age

Number
0
0
0
0
1
53
54

Percentage
0%
0%
0%
0%
2%
98%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
34
13
6
1
0
0
54

Percentage
63%
24%
11%
2%
0%
0%
100%

By Number of Placements
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
More than Five
Total

Number
1
3
5
8
2
35
54

Percentage
2%
6%
9%
15%
3%
65%
100%

By Length of Time in Care
Less than 30 Days
31 Days to 12 Months
13 to 24 Months
More than 24 Months
Total

Number
0
6
7
41
54

Percentage
0%
11%
13%
76%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 to 5
Ages 6 to 9
Ages 10 to 12
Ages 13 to 16
17 and Over
Total

28

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 11
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “GUARDIANSHIP” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING MARCH 31, 2000
By Age

Number
0
0
1
0
0
0
1

Percentage
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
0%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
1
0
0
0
0
0
1

Percentage
100%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%

By Number of Placements
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
More than Five
Total

Number
0
0
0
0
0
1
1

Percentage
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%
100%

By Length of Time in Care
Less than 30 Days
31 Days to 12 Months
13 to 24 Months
More than 24 Months
Total

Number
0
0
0
1
1

Percentage
0%
0%
0%
100%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 to 5
Ages 6 to 9
Ages 10 to 12
Ages 13 to 16
17 and Over
Total

29

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 12
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “RUNAWAY” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING MARCH 31, 2000
By Age

Number
0
0
0
0
13
17
30

Percentage
0%
0%
0%
0%
43%
57%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
16
10
2
2
0
0
30

Percentage
53%
33%
7%
7%
0%
0%
100%

By Number of Placements
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
More than Five
Total

Number
9
2
2
2
1
14
30

Percentage
30%
7%
7%
7%
3%
46%
100%

By Length of Time in Care
Less than 30 Days
31 Days to 12 Months
13 to 24 Months
More than 24 Months
Total

Number
1
13
7
9
30

Percentage
3%
43%
24%
30%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 to 5
Ages 6 to 9
Ages 10 to 12
Ages 13 to 16
17 and Over
Total

30

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

ADOPTIVE CASE PLAN GOALS
A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(14) & (15)
THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WITH A CASE PLAN GOAL OF ADOPTION AND
WHO ARE NOT PLACED IN AN ADOPTIVE HOME AT THE END OF THE REPORTING PERIOD.
THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WITH A CASE PLAN GOAL OF ADOPTION AND
WHO ARE PLACED IN AN ADOPTIVE HOME AT THE END OF THE REPORT PERIOD AND AS
CATEGORIZED BY:
(a) AGE.
(b) ETHNICITY.
(c) AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE.
(d) LEGAL STATUS.
(15)(d) LENGTH OF TIME FROM CHANGE OF CASE PLAN GOAL TO ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT.

The average length of time that a child with a case plan goal of “adoption” has spent in out-ofhome care is 2 years, 8 months.
Chart 13
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WITH A CASE PLAN GOAL OF ADOPTION BY AGE

Number of Children

1000
672
43%

800

440
28%

600
400
200
0

14
<1%

5
<1%

Under 1

177
31%

153
27%

1-5

6-9

273
18%

157
28%

10-12

Ages of Children
Placed

N= 1,558 Placed

Not Placed

N= 563 Not Placed

31

153
10%

70
13%

13-16

6
<1%

1
<1%

Over 17

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 14
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WITH A CASE PLAN GOAL OF ADOPTION BY ETHNICITY

Number of Children

1000
800

745
48%
485
31%

600
400

262
47%

178
32%

200
0

White

Hispanic

221
14%

93
16%

93
6%

African Am.

25
4%

Am. Indian

9
<1%

5
<1%

2
<1%

Asian

3
<1%

Other

E thnicity
Placed

N= 1,558 Placed

Not Placed

N= 563 Not Placed

Chart 15
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WITH A CASE PLAN GOAL OF ADOPTION BY LEGAL STATUS

Number of Children

1600
1200

994
64%

800
400

246
44%

435
28%

266
47%

129
8%

51
9%

0
Legally Free

Not Free

Partially Free

Legal S tatus
Placed

Not Placed

N= 1,558 Placed
N= 563 Not Placed
Partially free refers to a situation where only one of the parent’s rights has been severed.

32

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 16
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN BY LENGTH OF TIME FROM CHANGE
OF CASE PLAN GOAL OF ADOPTION TO ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT

1,600
Number of Children

1,400
1,200

1,113
71%

1,000
800
600
400

24
2%

200
0
Less than
1 month*

1 to 2
months

105
7%

118
7%

153
10%

3 to 6
months

7 to 12
months

1 to 2
years

44
3%

1
<1%

2 to 3
years

3 or more
years

Length of Time

N= 1,558 Placed
*About 70% of children are adopted by relatives or their foster parents and are already in their prospective adoptive placement at the
time the case plan goal changes to adoption.

33

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

ADOPTION SERVICES
A.R.S. §8-526 (A)(16)(a)(b)
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WHOSE ADOPTIONS WERE FINALIZED DURING THE REPORTING
PERIOD AND AS CATEGORIZED BY:
(a) AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT BEFORE
ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT.
(b) AVERAGE LENGTH OF TIME IN ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT BEFORE
THE FINAL ORDER OF ADOPTION.

There were 403 children with a finalized adoption during the reporting period. Chart 17 displays
the number of children with a finalized adoption during the reporting period by the average length
of time in out-of-home placement before adoptive placement. Chart 18 displays the number of
children with a finalized adoption by average length of time in adoptive placement before the final
order of adoption.

Chart 17

Number of Children

THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WITH A FINALIZED ADOPTION BY AVERAGE
LENGTH OF TIME IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT BEFORE ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT
300
250
200

215
53%

206
61%

150
47
14%

100
50
0

Less than 1 year

82
20%

42
13%

1 to 2 years

43
11%

2 to 3 years

41
12%

63
16%

More than 3 years

Length of Time
April 1999-S eptember 1999

October 1999-March 2000

N= 336 April 1999 - September 1999
N= 403 October 1999 - March 2000

34

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 1999 - March 31, 2000
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 18
THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WITH A FINALIZED ADOPTION BY AVERAGE
LENGTH OF TIME IN ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT BEFORE THE FINAL ORDER OF ADOPTION

Number of Children

200
150
100
50
0

107
32%
46
14%

140
35%
79
23%

55
13%

Less than 1 year

1 to 2 years

104
26%

2 to 3 years

104
31%

104
26%

More than 3 years

Length of Time
April 1999-S eptember 1999

October 1999-March 2000

N=336 April 1999-September 1999
N=403 October 1999-March 2000
*About 70% of children are adopted by relatives or their foster parents and are already in their prospective adoptive placement at the
time the case plan goal changes to adoption.

35