CHILD WELFARE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD OF
OCTOBER 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001

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, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
S.B. 1229
OCTOBER 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001

Arizona Revised Statute §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, 2000 through March 31,
2001. 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 16,394 reports of
child abuse, neglect and abandonment. Of these reports, 99 were within the jurisdiction of
military or tribal governments and were referred to those jurisdictions. The Department responded
to 100% of the remaining 16,295 reports. This response rate has been maintained by the Division
since January, 1998. During the reporting period, an additional 8,389 communications were
received by Child Protective Services Central Intake that did not meet the criteria of a report.
During the reporting period, there were 1,281 substantiated findings of abuse or neglect. In-home
services were received in 682 of these cases, out-of-home services were received in 545 of these
cases, and 548 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, 2001, there were 6,254 children in out-of-home care in Arizona. Of the total
number of children in out-of-home care, there were 1,503 children placed with relatives. One
thousand seven hundred seventy-four (1,774) children of the 6,254 in out-of-home care had a
case plan goal of adoption, and 1,230 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 four
hundred twenty-seven (2,427) children had a case plan goal of “Return to Family”. Three
thousand seven hundred sixty-six (3,766 or 60%) of the total number of children had been in outof 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, 2,722 children were in family foster home settings. There were
1,788 licensed foster homes this reporting period. The most common reason for foster home
closure was due to the adoption of the foster child by the foster family. 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 may not be able to use a particular
i

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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
1,546 (86%) of 1,788 foster homes this reporting period.
A.R.S. §8-516 also requires supervision of children in foster care. During this reporting period,
6,254 children in out-of-home care required visitation by their Child Protective Services case
manager. Visitation was accurately documented for 4,449 (71%) of these children.
During the reporting period, 2,337 children left the care, custody and control of DES. The
following are the reasons and the number of children who left care: 1,598 of the children were
reunified with their parents or primary caretaker, 153 of the children reached the age of majority,
14 children left due to a legal guardianship being established, 109 of the children were placed with
other relatives, 8 of the children left due to continued runaway behavior and the Department’s
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 455 children with
finalized adoptions, which is an increase of 28 or 7% 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, 2000 and ending on March 31, 2001. 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, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

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.
Between October 1, 2000 and March 31, 2001, there were 16,394 incoming communications to
the Child Abuse Hotline which met the criteria of a report of abuse or neglect. Of these, 99 were
within the jurisdiction of military or tribal governments and were referred to those jurisdictions.
This compares to 16,047 incoming communications received during the last reporting period
which met the criteria of a report of abuse or neglect.
As illustrated in Chart 1, the period covering October 2000 through March 2001 shows 9,395 or
57% of the 16,394 reports of maltreatment were related to allegations of neglect, 5,668 or 35%
of the reports were related to allegations of physical abuse, 952 or 6% of the reports were related
to allegations of sexual abuse, and 379 or 2% of the reports were related to allegations of
emotional abuse.
As illustrated in Chart 1A, the period covering April 2000 through September 2000 shows 9,441
or 59% of the 16,047 reports of maltreatment were related to allegations of neglect, 5,311 or
33% of the reports were related to allegations of physical abuse, 943 or 6% of the reports were
related to allegations of sexual abuse, and 352 or 2% of the reports were related to allegations of
emotional abuse.
Chart 2 provides the number of reports received by report risk level for the October 1, 2000
through March 31, 2001 reporting period. Based on the type of maltreatment a risk level is
assigned to reports of alleged abuse.
In addition to the 16,394 reports presented in Chart 1, the Child Abuse Hotline received 8,389
communications that did not meet the statutory criteria of a report of maltreatment. A random
sample of these communications is contained in Chart 3.

2

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 1
NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY MAJOR CATEGORY
PERIOD OCTOBER 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001
12,000
10,000

9,395
57%

8,000

5,668
35%

6,000
4,000

952
6%

2,000
0

FOR

Neglect

P hysical Abuse
S exual Abuse
Categories

379
2%
E motional Abuse

N= 16,394
*Reports that are categorized as No Jurisdiction are included in the total for reports received .

Chart 1A
NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY MAJOR CATEGORY
PERIOD APRIL 1, 2000 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
12,000
10,000

FOR

9,441
59%

8,000

5,311
33%

6,000

943
6%

4,000
2,000

352
2%

0
Neglect

P hysical Abuse

S exual Abuse

Categories
N= 16,047
*Reports that are categorized as No Jurisdiction are included in the total for reports received .

3

E motional Abuse

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 2
NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY RISK LEVEL FOR THE PERIOD
OCTOBER 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001
10,000
9,000
8,000
7,000
6,000
5,000
4,000
3,000

6,681
41%

2,124
13%

4,152
25%

3,437
21%

2,000
1,000
0
High

Moderate

Risk Level

Low

P otential

N= 16,394
*Reports that are categorized as No Jurisdiction are included in the total for reports received.

Chart 2A
NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY RISK LEVEL FOR THE PERIOD
APRIL 1, 2000 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
10,000
9,000

6,492
40%

8,000
7,000
6,000

4,103
26%

5,000
4,000
3,000

3,207
20%

2,245
14%

2,000
1,000
0
High

Moderate

Risk Level

Low

N=16,047
*Reports that are categorized as No Jurisdiction are included in the total for reports received.

4

P otential

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 3
SAMPLE OF COMMUNICATIONS TO THE CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE THAT DO NOT MEET THE
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF A REPORT OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT
80
70

62
69%

60
50
40
30

7
8%

20
10

13
14%

0
A

B

C

1
1%

1
1%

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 Jurisdiction1
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.

1

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, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

On January 1, 1998, the Department implemented the Family Builders Program, a communitybased 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. On
November 17, 1999 Graham, Greenlee, Cochise, and Santa Cruz counties implemented the Family
Builders program. Of the 16,2952 reports deemed appropriate for investigation, CPS assigned
12,123 reports to CPS Specialists for an investigation. The Department referred 4,172 reports to
Family Builders for response, which resulted in a combined response rate of 100% for the
reporting period. Ninety-nine reports were within the jurisdiction of the military or tribal
governments and were referred to those jurisdictions for investigation.

2

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

6

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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,
2000 through March 31, 2001, there were 12,123 CPS investigations, and 4,172 reports referred
to Family Builders for 16,295 total responses3.

Table 1
NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED TO BY RISK LEVEL AND COUNTY
FOR PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

3

HIGH
14
61
87
26
6
3
4
1,296
53
41
320
78
12
59
64
2,124
13%

MODERATE
24
112
128
51
21
6
18
2,463
141
32
755
185
15
132
69
4,152
25%

LOW
32
230
180
89
36
8
20
3,719
255
55
1,303
267
24
302
161
6,681
41%

POTENTIAL
11
122
37
41
8
1
13
1,923
123
12
682
125
1
265
73
3,437
21%

TOTAL
81
525
432
207
71
18
55
9,401
572
140
3,060
655
52
758
367
16,394
100%

% OF TOTAL
<1%
3%
3%
1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
57%
3%
1%
19%
4%
<1%
5%
2%
100%

Ninety-nine 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, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 1A4
NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED TO BY RISK LEVEL AND COUNTY
FOR PERIOD OF APRIL 1, 2000 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

4

HIGH
19
89
91
56
19
1
7
1,337
66
31
319
59
19
76
56
2,245
14%

MODERATE
23
106
115
113
23
4
12
2,385
147
34
744
139
10
134
114
4,103
26%

LOW
23
177
210
194
50
5
32
3,543
272
80
1,261
193
37
241
174
6,492
40%

POTENTIAL
13
113
28
93
14
0
9
1,804
120
9
587
80
3
262
72
3,207
20%

TOTAL
78
485
444
456
106
10
60
9,069
605
154
2,911
471
69
713
416
16,047
100%

% OF TOTAL
<1%
3%
3%
3%
1%
<1%
<1%
57%
4%
1%
18%
3%
<1%
4%
3%
100%

One hundred-one 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, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 25
NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED TO BY MAJOR CATEGORY AND COUNTY
FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

EMOTIONAL
ABUSE
5
18
15
4
0
0
0
198
14
2
75
14
1
23
10
379
2%

NEGLECT
37
319
246
127
32
8
39
5,367
333
94
1,710
377
25
457
224
9,395
57%

PHYSICAL
ABUSE
29
161
141
69
33
5
13
3,284
197
38
1,107
217
19
246
109
5,668
35%

SEXUAL
ABUSE
10
27
30
7
6
5
3
552
28
6
168
47
7
32
24
952
6%

TOTAL

% OF TOTAL

81
525
432
207
71
18
55
9,401
572
140
3,060
655
52
758
367
16,394
100%

<1%
3%
3%
1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
57%
3%
1%
19%
4%
<1%
5%
2%
100%

Table 2A6
NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED TO BY MAJOR CATEGORY AND COUNTY
FOR THE PERIOD OF APRIL 1, 2000 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2000
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

EMOTIONAL
ABUSE
3
13
19
8
2
0
2
173
15
4
74
14
1
12
12
352
2%

NEGLECT
50
285
264
270
70
2
35
5,341
346
95
1,717
298
40
389
239
9,441
59%

PHYSICAL
ABUSE
20
168
125
143
25
4
20
3,026
204
44
958
132
28
270
144
5,311
33%

5

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

6

One hundred-one reports were classified as no jurisdiction and are included in Table 2A.

9

SEXUAL
ABUSE
5
19
36
35
9
4
3
529
40
11
162
27
0
42
21
943
6%

TOTAL

% OF TOTAL

78
485
444
456
106
10
60
9,069
605
154
2,911
471
69
713
416
16,047
100%

<1%
3%
3%
3%
1%
<1%
<1%
57%
4%
1%
18%
3%
<1%
4%
3%
100%

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 10,826 reports were investigated and subject to substantiation, with
1,281 or 12% of the reports resulting in a substantiated finding of child abuse or neglect.7 This
compares to a revised substantiation rate of 16% to 20%, or 2,195 reports, for the period of April
2000 through September 2000.
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
12% substantiation rate for this period will be revised in the next report.

7

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

10

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 38
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, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001
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
4
4
5
0
0
0
47
0
0
11
4
0
0
2
77
14%

0
10
3
5
1
0
0
189
5
0
46
14
3
1
2
279
51%

0
7
0
4
1
1
0
111
4
0
48
13
1
0
2
192
35%

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0%

0
21
7
14
2
1
0
347
9
0
105
31
4
1
6
548
100%

0%
4%
1%
3%
<1%
<1%
0%
63%
2%
0%
19%
6%
1%
<1%
1%
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 services9; 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.

8

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.

9

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, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001
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
1
0
0
0
1
<1%
10
21
18
0
49
7%
0
0
1
0
1
<1%
1
4
5
0
10
1%
2
3
6
0
11
2%
1
0
1
0
2
<1%
0
0
0
0
0
0%
118
129
70
0
317
46%
3
3
3
0
9
1%
0
0
0
0
0
0%
87
94
52
0
233
34%
11
12
13
0
36
5%
1
0
1
0
2
<1%
0
0
0
0
0
0%
4
5
2
0
11
2%
239
271
172
0
682
100%
35%
40%
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, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001
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
1
0
0
0
1
<1%
14
11
8
0
33
6%
1
0
1
0
2
<1%
2
3
2
0
7
1%
2
3
2
0
7
1%
1
0
1
0
2
<1%
0
0
0
0
0
0%
112
62
52
0
226
41%
3
3
3
0
9
2%
0
0
0
0
0
0%
91
81
44
0
216
40%
11
10
11
0
32
6%
2
0
0
0
2
<1%
0
0
0
0
0
0%
3
4
1
0
8
1%
243
177
125
0
545
100%
45%
32%
23%
0%
100%
12

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 22.42% annualized turnover rate. There were 4 authorized Child Protective
Services Specialist positions vacant on March 31, 2001.

13

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

During the reporting period, 926 children remained in a shelter or receiving home for more than
21 consecutive days. (See Chart 4) For the period of October 2000 through March 2001, 586 or
63% of the children were six years of age or older. In addition, 86 or 9% 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, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001
500
400

254
28%

300
200

86
9%

310
33%
148
16%

116
13%

12
1%

100
0
Under 1 year

1-5

6-9

10-12

Ages of Children

N=926

14

13-17

18 and over

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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, 2001, there were 1,788 licensed foster homes with 4,272 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, 2001 there were 834 unused spaces within these foster homes. Approximately
255 additional spaces were unavailable or set aside for receiving and respite care services. Of the
unused spaces, a match between the available spaces and children’s needs was not possible.

15

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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, 182 new homes were licensed to provide foster care and 204 homes
left the system. This compares to 217 new homes being licensed and 236 homes leaving the
system for the period covering April 2000 through September 2000.
Chart 5 gives the reasons for foster home closures for the period of October 1, 2000 through
March 31, 2001.

Chart 5
REASON FOR FOSTER HOME CLOSURE FOR THE PERIOD OF
OCTOBER 1, 2000 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2001
140
120
100
80
60

52
26%

53
26%

47
23%

40

14
7%

13
6%

20

9
4%

15
7%

0
A

B

C

D

E

F

G

1
1%

H

Closure Reasons

N= 204

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, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 1,788 foster homes that required visitation. Of those
homes 1,546 or 86% received the required visitation. This compares to 1,568 or 87% of the
foster homes that received the required visitation for the period April 2000 through September
2000.

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

WHO

2,500
1,568
87%

2,000

1,546
86%

1,500
1,000

242
13%

500

242
14%

0
Number Visited

Number Not Visited

April 2000-S eptember 2000

October 2000-March 2001

N= 1,810 April 2000 - September 2000
N= 1,788 October 2000 - March 2001

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

17

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 6,254 children in out-of-home care who required
visitation. Of these children, visitation was accurately documented in the automated system for
4,449 children or 71%. 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 7
THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WHO
RECEIVED THE REQUIRED VISITATION10
6,000
5,000

4,346
66%

4,449
71%

4,000
2,266
34%

3,000
2,000

1,805
29%

1,000
0
Number Visited

Number Not Visited

April 2000-S eptember 2000

October 2000-March 2001

N= 6,612 April 2000-September 2000
N= 6,254 October 2000-March 2001

10

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, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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, 2001, there were 6,254 children in out-of-home care. During the reporting period
of October 1, 2000 through March 31, 2001, there were 2,191 children removed from their home
for some period of time.

Chart 8
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE BY AGE
4000
3500

2,322 2,089
35% 33%

3000
2500

1,693
26%

2000
1500
1000
500

308
5%

1,574
25%

1,181 1,124
18% 18%

284
5%

1,002 895
15% 14%

106
1%

288
5%

0
Under 1

1-5

6-9

10-12

13-17

18 and Over

Ages of Children
April 2000-S eptember 2000

October 2000-March 2001

N= 6,612 April 2000-September 2000
N= 6,254 October 2000-March 2001

19

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 9
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE BY ETHNICITY
5,000
4,000
3,000

3,127
2,980
47%
48%

2,000

1,940 1,813
29%
29%

1,000

1,052 965
16% 15%

389
6%

387
6%

36
1%

0
White

Hispanic

African Am

Am Indian

42
1%

Asian

68
1%

67
1%

Other

E thnicity
April 2000-S eptember 2000

October 2000-March 2001

N= 6,612 April 2000-September 2000
N= 6,254 October 2000-March 2001

Chart 10
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE BY CASE PLAN GOAL
4,000
3,500
3,000
2,500

2,542 2,427
38%
39%

1,933
29%

2,000
1,500

493
8%

1,000
500

1,774
28%
572
9%

450
7%

557
9%

891
13%

940
15%
134
2%

0
Return to
F amily

Live W ith Other
Relatives

Adoption

Long Term
Foster Care

Independent
Living

84
1%

October 2000-March 2001

N= 6,612 April 2000-September 2000
N= 6,254 October 2000-March 2001

20

22
1%

Guardianship Case P lan Goal
Being
Developed

Case P lan Goals
April 2000-S eptember 2000

47
1%

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 11
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN CARE BY PLACEMENT TYPE
5000
4000

2,799 2,722
42% 43%

3000

1,735
1,503
2000 26%
24%

1,140 1,108
17%
18%

1000

485 537
7% 9%

0
Relative

Family Foster Group Home
Home*

Residential
Treatment

98
2%

123
2%

Independent
Living

200 196
3% 3%

155
3%

Runaway

Trial Home
Visit

65
1%

Out-of-Home P lacement Types
April 2000-September 2000
October 2000-March 2001

N= 6,612 April 2000-September 2000
N= 6,254 October 2000-March 2001
* Category includes some relative placements.

Chart 12
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE BY LENGTH OF TIME IN CARE
5000
4000
2,333
35%

3000

2,729
41%

2,263
36%

1,233
19%

2000
1000

317
5%

286
5%

2,488
40%

1,217
19%

0
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 2000-S eptember 2000

October 2000-March 2001

N= 6,612 April 2000-September 2000
N= 6,254 October 2000-March 2001

21

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 1,093 parents who had a child with the case plan goal of return home. Of those
parents requiring the visitation, 665 or 60% received the required visitation. The 60% visitation
rate does not reflect attempted visitation where contact did not take place.

22

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 2,337 children left the custody of the Department. Tables 6 through
13 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.

23

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 6
TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY FOR THE END OF THE
REPORTING PERIOD ENDING ON MARCH 31, 2001
By Age

Number
103
691
424
312
632
175
2,337

Percentage
4%
30%
19%
13%
27%
7%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
1,074
708
298
193
11
53
2,337

Percentage
46%
30%
13%
8%
1%
2%
100%

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

Number
1,132
520
243
150
90
202
2,337

Percentage
48%
22%
11%
7%
4%
9%
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
711
610
349
667
2,337

Percentage
30%
26%
15%
29%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 - 5
Ages 6 - 9
Ages 10 - 12
Ages 13 - 17
18 and Over
Total

By Age
By Number of Placements
By Months of Time in Care

Median
9.56
2
9.2

Average
10.65
2.60
22.10

24

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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, 2001
By Age

Number
101
441
287
213
501
56
1,599

Percentage
6%
28%
18%
13%
31%
4%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
765
455
174
147
8
50
1,599

Percentage
48%
28%
11%
9%
1%
3%
100%

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

Number
997
313
113
70
31
75
1,599

Percentage
61%
20%
8%
4%
2%
5%
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
697
543
205
154
1,599

Percentage
42%
32%
13%
13%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 - 5
Ages 6 - 9
Ages 10 - 12
Ages 13 - 17
18 and Over
Total

By Age
By Number of Placements
By Months of Time in Care

Median
9.59
1
1.9

Average
9.41
1.90
8.67

25

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 8
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “LIVING WITH OTHER RELATIVES” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING MARCH 31, 2001
By Age

Number
1
25
27
20
33
3
109

Percentage
1%
23%
25%
18%
30%
3%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
31
51
21
4
1
1
109

Percentage
28%
47%
19%
4%
1%
1%
100%

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

Number
43
28
16
7
8
7
109

Percentage
40%
26%
15%
6%
7%
6%
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
3
18
47
41
109

Percentage
2%
17%
43%
38%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 - 5
Ages 6 - 9
Ages 10 - 12
Ages 13 - 17
18 and Over
Total

By Age
By Number of Placements
By Months of Time in Care

Median
10.47
2
18.7

Average
9.34
2.41
28.17

26

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 9
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES
CUSTODY FOR REASON OF “ADOPTION” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING MARCH 31, 2001
By Age

Number
1
225
108
76
43
2
455

Percentage
<1%
50%
23%
17%
9%
1%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
188
161
78
28
0
0
455

Percentage
40%
37%
16%
7%
0%
0%
100%

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

Number
64
158
95
54
35
49
455

Percentage
11%
35%
21%
13%
8%
12%
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
13
69
373
455

Percentage
0%
3%
17%
80%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 - 5
Ages 6 - 9
Ages 10 - 12
Ages 13 - 17
18 and Over
Total

By Age
By Number of Placements
By Months of Time in Care

Median
6.06
3
33.63

Average
7.12
3.05
38.46

27

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 10
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASONS OF “REACHING AGE OF MAJORITY” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING MARCH 31, 2001
By Age

Number
0
0
0
0
40
112
152

Percentage
0%
0%
0%
0%
26%
74%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
76
37
24
11
2
2
152

Percentage
50%
25%
16%
7%
1%
1%
100%

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

Number
16
17
17
19
15
68
152

Percentage
10%
12%
11%
12%
10%
45%
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
5
32
23
92
152

Percentage
3%
22%
15%
60%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 - 5
Ages 6 - 9
Ages 10 - 12
Ages 13 - 17
18 and Over
Total

By Age
By Number of Placements
By Months of Time in Care

Median
18.26
5
30.66

Average
18.05
6.31
40.97

28

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 11
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “GUARDIANSHIP” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING MARCH 31, 2001
By Age

Number
0
0
2
3
8
1
14

Percentage
0%
0%
14%
22%
57%
7%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
9
1
1
3
0
0
14

Percentage
64%
7%
7%
22%
0%
0%
100%

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

Number
5
4
2
0
0
3
14

Percentage
36%
28%
14%
0%
0%
22%
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
3
5
6
14

Percentage
0%
22%
36%
42%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 - 5
Ages 6 - 9
Ages 10 - 12
Ages 13 - 17
18 and Over
Total

By Age
By Number of Placements
By Months of Time in Care

Median
13.58
2
21.93

Average
13.02
2.85
30.84

29

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 12
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “RUNAWAY” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING MARCH 31, 2001
By Age

Number
0
0
0
0
7
1
8

Percentage
0%
0%
0%
0%
88%
12%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
5
3
0
0
0
0
8

Percentage
63%
37%
0%
0%
0%
0%
100%

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

Number
7
0
0
0
1
0
8

Percentage
88%
0%
0%
0%
12%
0%
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
6
1
0
1
8

Percentage
76%
12%
0%
12%
100%

Under 1
Ages 1 - 5
Ages 6 - 9
Ages 10 - 12
Ages 13 - 17
18 and Over
Total

By Age
By Number of Placements
By Months of Time in Care

Median
16.44
1
.08

Average
16.44
1.5
6.62

30

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 13
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “DEATH OF CHILD” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD ENDING
MARCH 31, 2001
By Age

Number
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Percentage
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Percentage
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%

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

Number
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Percentage
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%

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
0
0

Percentage
0%
0%
0%
0%
0%

Under 1
Ages 1 - 5
Ages 6 - 9
Ages 10 - 12
Ages 13 - 17
18 and Over
Total

By Age
By Number of Placements
By Months of Time in Care

Median
0
0
0

Average
0
0
0

31

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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
1000
800
527
43%

600

354
29%

400
200
0

8
1%

3
1%

Under 1

136
29%

109
24%

1-5

6-9

225
18%

132
29%

10-12

Ages of Children
P laced

N= 1,230 Placed

Not P laced

N= 459 Not Placed

32

116
9%

78
17%

13-17

0
0%

1
<1%

18 and Over

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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

1000
800
600
400
200

555
45%

411
33%
214
47%

165
36%

189
15%

61
5%

57
12%

0
White

Hispanic

African Am.

17
4%

Am. Indian

8
1%

5
1%

6
1%

Asian

1
<1%

Other

E thnicity
P laced

N= 1,230 Placed

Not P laced

N= 459 Not Placed

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

1600
1200

899
73%

800
400

287
63%

268
22%

138
30%

0
Legally F ree

Not Free
Not P laced

N= 1,230 Placed
N= 459 Not Placed
Partially free refers to a situation where only one of the parent’s rights has been severed.

33

34
7%

P artially F ree

Legal S tatus
P laced

63
5%

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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

1,600
1,400
1,200
1,000
800

769
62%

600
400

65
5%

200
0

Less than
1 month*

1 to 3
months

113
9%

81
7%

102
8%

68
6%

32
3%

3 to 6
months

6 to 12
months

1 to 2
years

2 to 3
years

3 or more
years

Length of Time

N= 1,230 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.

34

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 455 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
THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WITH A FINALIZED ADOPTION BY AVERAGE
LENGTH OF TIME IN OUT-OF-HOME PLACEMENT BEFORE ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT

450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0

329
72%

253
59%

87
20%

Less than 1 year

62
14%

36
9%

1 to 2 years

26
6%

2 to 3 years

51
12%

38
8%

More than 3 years

Length of Time
April 2000-S eptember 2000

October 2000-March 2001

N= 427 April 2000 - September 2000
N= 455 October 2000 - March 2001

Chart 18
35

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
October 1, 2000 - March 31, 2001
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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

200

142
33%

150
100

70
16%

147
32%

127
28%

101
24%

60
13%

114
27%

121
27%

50
0
Less than 1 year

1 to 2 years

2 to 3 years

More than 3 years

Length of Time
April 2000-S eptember 2000

October 2000-March 2001

N=427 April 2000-September 2000
N=455 October 2000-March 2001
*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.

36