CHILD WELFARE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD OF
APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002

ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES
[LAWS 2001, CHAPTER 223]

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

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
S.B. 1229
APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002

Arizona Revised Statute §8-526, as amended by Laws 2001, Chapter 223 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 April 1, 2002 through September 30,
2002. 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 Hotline received 17,104 reports of child
abuse, neglect and abandonment. Of these reports, 130 were within the jurisdiction of military or
tribal governments and were referred to those jurisdictions. The Department and Family Builders
contracted providers responded to 100% of the remaining 16,974 reports. This response rate has
been maintained by the Division since January, 1998. During the reporting period, an additional
10,524 communications were received by Child Protective Services Central Intake that did not
meet the criteria of a report.
During the reporting period, there were 1,334 substantiated findings of abuse or neglect. In-home
services were received in 828 of these cases, out-of-home services were received in 676 of these
cases, and 459 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. In addition, these reports are not mutually exclusive,
and may simultaneously receive in home services, out-of-home services, as well as services
through the community.
On September 30, 2002, there were 6,270 children in out-of-home care in Arizona. Of the total
number of children in out-of-home care, there were 1,632 children placed with relatives. One
thousand six hundred sixty-six (1,666) children of the 6,270 in out-of-home care had a case plan
goal of adoption, and 1,186 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 twelve
(2,612) children had a case plan goal of “Return to Family”. Four thousand two hundred twentynine (4,229 or 67%) 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.

i

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

At the end of the reporting period, 2,302 children were in family foster home settings. There were
1,778 licensed foster homes this reporting period. 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 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
1,604 (90%) of 1,778 foster homes this reporting period.
A.R.S. §8-516 also requires supervision of children in foster care. During this reporting period,
6,270 children in out-of-home care required visitation by their Child Protective Services case
manager. Visitation was accurately documented for 4,249 (68%) of these children.
During the reporting period, 2,376 children left the care, custody and control of DES. The
following are the reasons and the number of children who left care: 1,232 of the children were
reunified with their parents or primary caretaker; 185 of the children reached the age of majority;
260 children left due to a legal guardianship being established; 197 of the children were placed
with other relatives; 113 of the children were transferred to another agency; and 21 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 364 children with finalized adoptions.

ii

CHILD WELFARE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Arizona Revised Statute §8-526, as amended by Laws 2001, Chapter 223 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
April 1, 2002 and ending on September 30, 2002. 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:

•

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(1)];

Pg. 2

• Child Protective Services reports
.....responded to

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(2), (A)(3)];

Pgs. 6 & 7

• Child Protective Services case
.....closures

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(1-4)(a)(b)(c)];

Pg. 10

•

Newborn Infants delivered to safe
haven providers.

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(5)];

Pg. 13

•

Children entering foster care

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(6)];

Pg. 14

• Child Protective Services direct
.....service staff

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(7)];

Pg. 16

• Children in shelter or receiving
.....homes

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(8)];

Pg. 17

•

Foster home availability and activity

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(9-11)];

Pgs. 18-20

•

Case manager visitation compliance

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(12)];

Pg. 21

•

Foster care

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(13)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)];

Pg. 22

•

Parental visitation

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(14)];

Pg. 26

•

Children leaving custody

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(15)(a)(b)(c)(d)];

Pg. 27

•

Adoptive services

[A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(16-18)(a)b)(c)(d)(e)].

Pgs. 37-41

Child Protective Services reports

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 April 1, 2002 and September 30, 2002, there were 17,104 incoming communications to
the Child Abuse Hotline which met the criteria of a report of abuse or neglect. Of these, 130
were within the jurisdiction of military or tribal governments and were referred to those
jurisdictions. This compares to 17,504 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 April 2002 through September 2002 shows 10,196
or 60% of the 17,104 reports of maltreatment were related to allegations of neglect, 5,515 or
32% of the reports were related to allegations of physical abuse, 1055 or 6% of the reports were
related to allegations of sexual abuse, and 338 or 2% of the reports were related to allegations of
emotional abuse.
As illustrated in Chart 1A, the period covering October 2001 through March 2002 shows 10,130
or 59% of the 17,504 reports of maltreatment were related to allegations of neglect, 5,995 or
34% of the reports were related to allegations of physical abuse, 947 or 5% of the reports were
related to allegations of sexual abuse, and 432 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 April 1, 2002 through
September 30, 2002 reporting period. Based on the type of maltreatment a risk level is assigned
to reports of alleged abuse.
In addition to the 17,104 reports presented in Chart 1, the Child Abuse Hotline received 10,524
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
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 1
NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY MAJOR CATEGORY
PERIOD APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002

FOR

14,000
12,000

10,196
60%

10,000
8,000

5,515
32%

6,000

1055
6%

4,000

338
2%

2,000
0
Neglect

Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Categories

Emotional Abuse

N= 17,104
*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 OCTOBER 1, 2001 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2002

FOR

15,000
12,000

10,130
59%

9,000

5,995
34%

6,000
3,000

947
5%

432
2%

Sexual Abuse

Emotional Abuse

0
Neglect

Physical Abuse
Categories

N= 17,504
*Reports that are categorized as No Jurisdiction are included in the total for reports received .

3

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 2
NUMBER OF REPORTS RECEIVED BY RISK LEVEL FOR THE PERIOD
APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
10,000
9,000

7,413
43%

8,000
7,000
6,000

4,656
27%

5,000

2,857
17%

4,000
2,178
13%

3,000
2,000
1,000
0

High

Moderate

Risk Level

Low

Potential

N=17,104
*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
OCTOBER 1, 2001 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2002
10,000
7,244

Number of Reports

8,000

41%
4,995

6,000

4,000

29%
3,224

2,041

18%

12%
2,000

0
High

Moderate

N= 17,504

4

Risk Level

Low

Potential

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________
*Reports that are categorized as No Jurisdiction are included in the total for reports received.

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
60
50

45
50%

40
18
20%

30
10
11%

20
10

1
1%

7
8%

7
8%

2
2%

0
A

B

C

D
Categories

E

F

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 Jurisdiction” 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
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 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. On
November 17, 1999 Graham, Greenlee, Cochise, and Santa Cruz counties implemented the Family
Builders program. As a result of budget reductions, on January 1, 2002, the Family Builders
program was eliminated from Graham, Cochise, Apache and Santa Cruz counties. In addition, the
program was reduced in Coconino and Yavapai counties.
Of the 16,9742 reports deemed appropriate for investigation, CPS assigned 14,330 reports to CPS
Specialists for an investigation. The Department referred 2,644 reports to Family Builders for
response, which resulted in a combined response rate of 100% for the reporting period. One
hundred thirty reports were within the jurisdiction of the military or tribal governments and were
referred to those jurisdictions for investigation.

2

One hundred thirty reports falling within the jurisdiction of military or tribal governments are excluded from this number.

6

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 April 1, 2002
through September 30, 2002, there were 14,330 CPS investigations, and 2,644 reports referred to
Family Builders for 16,974 total responses3.

Table 1
NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED TO BY RISK LEVEL AND COUNTY
FOR PERIOD OF APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

3

HIGH
21
56
83
27
5
1
10
1,341
75
35
295
70
15
79
65
2,178
13%

MODERATE
25
122
130
55
42
9
20
2,726
184
21
815
197
15
178
117
4,656
27%

LOW
25
181
309
107
58
9
28
4,214
279
62
1,376
324
37
205
199
7,413
43%

POTENTIAL
11
89
182
24
18
1
7
1,615
106
17
510
100
16
84
77
2,857
17%

TOTAL
82
448
704
213
123
20
65
9,896
644
135
2,996
691
83
546
458
17,104
100%

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

One hundred thirty 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
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 1A4
NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED TO BY RISK LEVEL AND COUNTY
FOR PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 2001 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2002
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

4

HIGH
10
75
82
26
10
5
11
1,281
65
29
263
67
8
59
50
2,041
12%

MODERATE
27
137
133
70
32
1
19
2,983
190
35
823
235
25
157
128
4,995
29%

LOW
31
210
305
105
46
9
24
4,028
300
47
1,398
302
30
212
197
7,244
41%

POTENTIAL
10
101
202
40
19
2
12
1,788
138
23
619
107
4
83
76
3,224
18%

TOTAL
78
523
722
241
107
17
66
10,080
693
134
3,103
711
67
511
451
17,504
100%

% OF TOTAL
<1%
3%
4%
1%
<1%
<1%
<1%
58%
4%
1%
18%
4%
<1%
3%
3%
100%

One hundred twenty-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 1A.

8

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 25
NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED TO BY MAJOR CATEGORY AND COUNTY
FOR THE PERIOD OF APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE
% OF TOTAL

EMOTIONAL
ABUSE
2
9
20
6
3
0
2
168
20
2
84
6
2
6
8
338
2%

NEGLECT
51
279
452
125
85
14
41
5,843
394
93
1,725
435
55
326
278
10,196
60%

PHYSICAL
ABUSE
22
132
195
61
28
5
18
3,260
198
32
1,017
208
23
173
143
5,515
32%

SEXUAL
ABUSE
7
28
37
21
7
1
4
625
32
8
170
42
3
41
29
1,055
6%

TOTAL

% OF TOTAL

82
448
704
213
123
20
65
9,896
644
135
2,996
691
83
546
458
17,104
100%

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

Table 2A6
NUMBER OF REPORTS RESPONDED TO BY MAJOR CATEGORY AND COUNTY
FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 1, 2001 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2002
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE

EMOTIONAL
ABUSE
2
13
32
6
4
0
2
213
9
2
97
20
3
14
15
432

NEGLECT
47
309
416
153
63
9
45
5,869
409
82
724
428
31
278
267
10,130

PHYSICAL
ABUSE
23
171
244
68
31
6
17
3,479
232
44
1,125
212
28
177
138
5,995

SEXUAL
ABUSE
6
30
30
14
9
2
2
519
43
6
157
51
5
42
31
947

5

One hundred thirty reports were classified as no jurisdiction and are included in Table 2.

6

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

9

TOTAL

% OF TOTAL

78
523
722
241
107
17
66
10,080
693
134
3,103
711
67
511
451
17,504

<1%
3%
4%
1%
1%
<1%
<1%
58%
4%
1%
18%
4%
<1%
3%
3%
100%

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________
% OF TOTAL

3%

58%

34%

5%

100%

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 12,619 reports were investigated and subject to substantiation, with
1,334 or 11% of the reports resulting in a substantiated finding of child abuse or neglect.7 This
compares to a revised substantiation rate of 15%, or 1,801 reports, for the period of October
2001 through March 2002. In addition, during the reporting period, April 2002 through
September 2002, there were 578 reports that have been proposed to be substantiated and are
waiting to proceed through the appeal process.

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
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
11% 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
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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
APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
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
4
2
2
0
0
0
31
4
0
18
0
1
2
5
70
15%

2
7
4
1
0
0
1
90
3
0
36
12
2
13
8
179
39%

0
5
7
4
0
0
0
125
0
2
42
8
2
10
5
210
46%

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

3
16
13
7
0
0
1
246
7
2
96
20
5
25
18
459
100%

1%
3%
3%
2%
0%
0%
<1%
54%
2%
<1%
21%
4%
1%
5%
4%
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
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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
APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
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
5
3
0
0
8
1%
10
17
18
0
45
5%
12
5
4
0
21
3%
5
3
3
0
11
1%
2
7
6
0
15
2%
0
1
2
0
3
<1%
1
0
0
0
1
<1%
132
103
87
0
322
38%
5
6
2
0
13
2%
6
0
0
0
6
1%
83
96
88
0
267
32%
18
10
14
0
42
5%
1
1
1
0
3
<1%
16
9
7
0
32
4%
17
9
13
0
39
5%
313
270
245
0
828
100%
38%
33%
30%
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
APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
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
5
3
3
0
8
1%
11
12
13
0
36
5%
12
2
3
0
17
3%
4
0
0
0
4
1%
2
7
5
0
14
2%
0
0
1
0
1
<1%
1
0
0
0
1
<1%
123
63
55
0
241
35%
4
5
2
0
11
2%
7
0
0
0
7
1%
86
86
73
0
245
36%
21
6
14
0
41
6%
1
0
1
0
2
<1%
16
5
6
0
27
4%
13
5
3
0
21
3%
306
194
176
0
676
100%
45%
29%
26%
0%
100%
12

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

ABANDONED NEWBORNS
A.R.S. § 8-526(A)(5)
THE NUMBER OF NEWBORN INFANTS DELIVERED TO SAFE HAVEN PROVIDERS PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13-3623.01.

There were four newborn infants delivered to safe haven providers during the April 2002 –
September 2002 reporting period.

13

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

CHILDREN ENTERING CARE
A.R.S. § 8-526(A)(6)
THE NUMBER

OF CHILDREN ENTERING OUT-OF-HOME CARE BY COUNTY DURING THE
REPORTING PERIOD, AND THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF THE CHILDREN ENTERING OUTOF-HOME CARE BY COUNTY DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD WHO ARE VOLUNTARY
PLACEMENTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE.

During the reporting period April 2002 through September 2002, 2,655 children were removed
from their home for some period of time. Table 6 shows the new removals for the period by
county. Table 7 displays the children removed during the reporting period who were voluntary
placements for children under the age of eighteen.

Table 6
NUMBER OF CHILDREN ENTERING OUT-OF-HOME CARE BY COUNTY FOR THE
PERIOD OF APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE

NUMBER OF CHILDREN
20
81
61
17
29
1
2
1,364
69
26
704
101
7
111
62
2,655

14

% OF TOTAL
1%
3%
2%
1%
1%
<1%
<1%
50%
3%
1%
27%
4%
<1%
4%
2%
100%

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 710
NUMBER OF CHILDREN UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE ENTERING OUT-OF-HOME
CARE DUE TO A VOLUNTARY PLACEMENT BY COUNTY FOR THE PERIOD OF
APRIL 1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
COUNTY
APACHE
COCHISE
COCONINO
GILA
GRAHAM
GREENLEE
LA PAZ
MARICOPA
MOHAVE
NAVAJO
PIMA
PINAL
SANTA CRUZ
YAVAPAI
YUMA
STATEWIDE

10

NUMBER OF CHILDREN
5
7
11
0
2
1
0
192
21
2
11
8
0
23
11
294

% OF TOTAL
2%
2%
4%
0%
1%
<1%
0%
64%
7%
1%
4%
3%
0%
8%
4%
100%

Voluntary foster care may be provided when the parents or legal guardians of a child have requested such assistance, and have signed a legally
binding written agreement not to exceed ninety days, for the temporary placement of the child in foster care while risk factors are addressed to
enable the child to live safely at home. A voluntary foster care agreement may be utilized only when it is likely that the circumstances that brought
the child into foster care are likely to be remedied within the ninety day period of time. A.R.S. § 8-806 authorizes the Department to provide
voluntary foster care placement for children for a period not to exceed 90 days and no more than two periods within twenty-four consecutive
months.

15

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES DIRECT SERVICE STAFF
A.R.S. § 8-526(A)(7)
THE NUMBER OF DIRECT CLIENT SERVICE POSITIONS THAT
THE REPORTING PERIOD.

ARE

VACANT

AT THE

END

There were 70.5 authorized Child Protective Services Specialist positions vacant on September
30, 2002.

16

OF

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

CHILDREN IN SHELTER OR RECEIVING HOMES
A.R.S. § 8-526(A)(8)
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, 1,098 children remained in a shelter or receiving home for more than
21 consecutive days. (See Chart 4) For the period of April 2002 through September 2002, 625 or
57% of the children were six years of age or older. In addition, 107 or 10% 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
APRIL
1, 2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002

Number of Children

500

366
33%

400

29%
193

300
200

318

18%
107
10%

101
9%

100

13
1%

0
Under 1 year

1-5

6-9

10-12

Ages of Children

N=1,098

17

13-17

18 and over

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

FOSTER HOME AVAILABILITY
A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(9)
THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF LICENSED FOSTER HOMES AND THE NUMBER OF LICENSED AND
AVAILABLE SPACES IN THOSE HOMES.

As of September 30, 2002, there were 1,778 licensed foster homes with 3,731 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 September 30, 2002 there were 778 unused spaces within these foster homes.
Approximately 310 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.

18

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

FOSTER HOME ACTIVITY
A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(10)
THE NUMBER AND TYPE OF LICENSED FOSTER HOMES THAT LEAVE
SYSTEM AND THE REASON FOR THE EXIT.

THE

FOSTER CARE

During the reporting period, 217 new homes were licensed to provide foster care and 195 homes
left the system. This compares to 149 new homes being licensed and 185 homes leaving the
system for the period covering October 2001 through March 2002.
Chart 5 gives the reasons for foster home closures for the period of April 1, 2002 through
September 30, 2002.

Chart 5
REASON FOR FOSTER HOME CLOSURE FOR THE PERIOD OF
2002 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2002

APRIL 1,

Number of Foster Homes

100
80
60
40

52
31

51

27%

16%

26%
15

16

8%

8%

20

11

8

5%

4%

F

G

9
5%

0
A

B

C

D

E

H

2
1%

I

Closure Reasons

N= 195

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
I = Transfer to Division of Developmental
Disabilities

19

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

FOSTER HOME ACTIVITY-VISITATION(Cont.)
A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(11)
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 1,778 foster homes that required visitation. Of those
homes 1,604 or 90% received the required visitation. This compares to 1,399 or 80% of the
foster homes that received the required visitation for the period October 2001 through March
2002. The Department believes that more foster homes received the required visitation than is
indicated in Chart 6. The under reporting of foster home visitation is attributable to the lack of
automation being used in reporting the foster home visitation process. The Department recognizes
this as a problem and is working to correct this issue.

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

WHO

Number of Homes

2,500
1,604

2,000

90%

1,500

1,399
80%

1,000

174
10%

500

357
20%

0
Number Visited

Number Not Visited

April 2002-September 2002

October 2001-March 2002

N= 1,778 April 2002 - September 2002
N= 1,756 October 2001 - March 2002

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

20

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

AFOSTER HOME ACTIVITY-CHILD VISITATION(Cont.)
A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(12)
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 6,270 children in out-of-home care who required
visitation. Of these children, visitation was accurately documented in the automated system for
4,249 children or 68%. 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 VISITATION11
6,000
5,000

4,249
68%

4,224
69%

4,000
2,021
32%

3,000

1,880
31%

2,000
1,000
0
Number Visited

Number Not Visited

April 2002-September 2002

October 2001-March 2002

N= 6,270 April 2002-September 2002
N= 6,104 October 2001-March 2002

11
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.

21

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

OUT-OF-HOME CARE
A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(13)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)
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.
(f) PRIMARY LEGAL STATUS INCLUDING VOLUNTARY PLACEMENT FOR A
CHILD UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE, TEMPORARY CUSTODY,
ADJUDICATED DEPENDENT, FREE FOR ADOPTION, VOLUNTARY
PLACEMENT FOR A CHILD OVER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE,
DUALLY ADJUDICATED OR ANY OTHER LEGAL STATUS.

On September 30, 2002, there were 6,270 children in out-of-home care. During the reporting
period of April 1, 2002 through September 30, 2002, there were 2,655 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

2,206
2,192 36%
35%

3000
2500

1,678
27%

2000
1500
1000
500

362
6%

1,561
26%

326
5%

1,024 988
16% 16%

778
12%

815
13%

236
4%

208
4%

0
Under 1

1-5

6-9

10-12

13-17

18 and Over

Ages of Children
April 2002-September 2002

October 2001-March 2002

N= 6,270 April 2002-September 2002
N= 6,104 October 2001-March 2002

22

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

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

3,000
48% 2,891
47%

2,000

1,904 1,871
30% 31%
829
13%

1,000

827
13%

357
6%

363
6%

34
1%

31
1%

146
2%

121
2%

0
White

Hispanic

African Am

Am Indian

Asian

Other

Ethnicity
April 2002-September 2002

October 2001-March 2002

N= 6,270 April 2002-September 2002
N= 6,104 October 2001-March 2002

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

2,612
2,487
41% 41%

2,500

1,666
26%

2,000

1,626
26%

1,500
1,000

350
6%

500

493
8%

362
6%

491
8%

1,073 1,046
17% 17%
59
1%

58
1%

17
<1%

34
1%

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 2002-September 2002

October 2001-March 2002

N= 6,270 April 2002-September 2002
N= 6,104 October 2001-March 2002

23

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 11
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN CARE BY PLACEMENT TYPE
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000

1,632
1,474
26%
24%

2,327
2,302 38%
37%
1,252 1,254
20% 21%

643 607
10% 10%

1,000

166 137
3% 2%

202 209
3% 3%

Independent
Living

Runaway

73
1%

96
2%

0
Relative

Family Foster
Home*

Group Home

Residential
Treatment

Trial Home Visit

Out-of-Home Placement Types
April 2002-September 2002

October 2001-March 2002

N= 6,270 April 2002-September 2002
N= 6,104 October 2001-March 2002
* Category includes some relative placements.

Chart 12
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE BY LENGTH OF TIME IN CARE
5000
4000
2,612
42%

3000

2,501
41%
1,225
20%

2000
1000

392
6%

337
6%

1,191
19%

2,041
32%

2,075
34%

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 2002-September 2002

October 2001-March 2002

N= 6,270 April 2002-September 2002
N= 6,104 October 2001-March 2002

24

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

CHART 1312
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN OUT-OF-HOME CARE BY LEGAL STATUS
4,000
3,500

2,721
42%

3,190
52%

3,000
2,500
2,000

1,303
21%

1,500

1,228
20%

1,000

1,750
28%
962
16%
165
3%

500

340
6%

109
2%

110
2%

135
2%

136
2%

47
1%

72
1%

66
40
<1% 1%

0
Adjudicated Legally Free for
Dependent Only
Adoption

Temporary
Custody

Partially Free
for Adoption

Voluntary
Placement
Under 18

Voluntary
Placement Over
18

Dually
Adjudicated

Other

Legal Status
April 2002-September 2002

October 2001-March 2002

N=6,270 April 2002-September 2002
N= 6,104 October 2001-March 2002

12

With the exception of the category of Voluntary Placement Under 18, all children are Adjudicated Dependent. The categories shown reflect
additional legal findings.

25

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(14)
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 1,367 parents who had a child with the case plan goal of return home. Of those
parents requiring the visitation, 772 or 56% received the required visitation. The 56% visitation
rate does not reflect attempted visitation where contact did not take place.

26

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

REASON FOR LEAVING DES CUSTODY
A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(15)(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 2,376 children left the custody of the Department. Tables 8 through
16 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.

27

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 8
TOTAL NUMBER OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY FOR THE END OF THE
REPORTING PERIOD ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
By Age

Number
130
712
402
280
684
168
2,376

Percentage
5%
30%
17%
12%
29%
7%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
1,031
809
268
165
18
85
2,376

Percentage
43%
34%
11%
7%
1%
4%
100%

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

Number
1,288
436
213
120
74
245
2,376

Percentage
54%
18%
10%
5%
3%
10%
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
853
656
374
493
2,376

Percentage
36%
27%
16%
21%
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
9.5
1
6.6

Average
9.5
2.5
14.8

28

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 9
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “REUNIFICATION WITH PARENTS OR PRIMARY CARETAKER” FOR
THE REPORTING PERIOD ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
By Age

Number
81
327
217
147
457
3
1,232

Percentage
7%
27%
17%
12%
37%
<1%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
543
435
111
75
8
60
1,232

Percentage
44%
35%
9%
6%
1%
5%
100%

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

Number
800
230
79
41
23
59
1,232

Percentage
65%
19%
6%
3%
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
606
415
151
60
1,232

Percentage
49%
34%
12%
5%
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
9.9
1
1.1

Average
9.5
1.9
6.3

29

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 10
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “LIVING WITH OTHER RELATIVES” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
By Age

Number
20
74
34
23
45
1
197

Percentage
10%
38%
17%
12%
22%
<1%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
77
63
27
24
0
6
197

Percentage
39%
32%
14%
12%
0%
3%
100%

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

Number
177
15
3
1
0
1
197

Percentage
89%
8%
2%
<1%
0%
<1%
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
162
34
0
1
197

Percentage
82%
17%
0%
<1%
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
6.4
1
.13

Average
7.7
1.1
.76

30

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 11
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES
CUSTODY FOR REASON OF “ADOPTION” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
By Age

Number
7
192
85
52
28
0
364

Percentage
2%
53%
23%
14%
8%
0%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
140
136
58
21
7
2
364

Percentage
38%
37%
16%
6%
2%
1%
100%

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

Number
71
102
76
36
28
51
364

Percentage
20%
27%
21%
10%
8%
14%
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
11
101
252
364

Percentage
0%
3%
28%
69%
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
5.4
3
30.5

Average
6.4
3.2
34.3

31

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 12
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “GUARDIANSHIP” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
By Age

Number
10
82
53
42
73
0
260

Percentage
4%
32%
20%
16%
28%
0%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
131
79
24
18
0
8
260

Percentage
51%
30%
9%
7%
0%
3%
100%

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

Number
142
47
34
20
6
11
260

Percentage
56%
18%
13%
7%
2%
4%
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
32
113
74
41
260

Percentage
12%
44%
28%
16%
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
8.6
1
11.9

Average
8.8
2
14

32

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 13
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASONS OF “REACHING AGE OF MAJORITY” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
By Age

Number
0
0
0
0
23
162
185

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

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
93
44
31
15
0
2
185

Percentage
50%
24%
17%
8%
0%
1%
100%

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

Number
21
19
13
13
13
106
185

Percentage
12%
10%
7%
7%
7%
57%
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
2
34
33
116
185

Percentage
1%
18%
18%
63%
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
7
36.5

Average
18.3
7.5
50.2

33

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 14
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “TRANSFER TO ANOTHER AGENCY” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
By Age

Number
10
37
13
16
36
1
113

Percentage
9%
33%
12%
14%
32%
<1%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
41
41
12
10
3
6
113

Percentage
36%
36%
11%
9%
3%
5%
100%

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

Number
58
19
8
9
4
15
113

Percentage
51%
17%
7%
8%
4%
13%
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
31
46
15
21
113

Percentage
27%
41%
13%
19%
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
1
6.8

Average
8.7
8.7
14.4

34

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 15
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “RUNAWAY” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
By Age

Number
0
0
0
0
21
0
21

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

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
6
11
3
0
0
1
21

Percentage
29%
52%
14%
0%
0%
5%
100%

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

Number
18
3
0
0
0
0
21

Percentage
86%
14%
0%
0%
0%
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
20
1
0
0
21

Percentage
95%
5%
0%
0%
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
15.7
1
.1

Average
15.9
1.1
.3

35

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Table 16
NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LEAVING DES CUSTODY
FOR REASON OF “DEATH OF CHILD” FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD ENDING
SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
By Age

Number
2
0
0
0
1
1
4

Percentage
50%
0%
0%
0%
25%
25%
100%

Ethnicity
White
Hispanic
African American
American Indian
Asian
Other
Total

Number
0
0
2
2
0
0
4

Percentage
0%
0%
50%
50%
0%
0%
100%

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

Number
1
1
0
0
0
2
4

Percentage
25%
25%
0%
0%
0%
50%
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
2
0
2
4

Percentage
0%
50%
0%
50%
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
8.7
4
30

Average
9.3
5.8
36

36

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

ADOPTIVE CASE PLAN GOALS
A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(16) & (17)
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, 9 months.
Chart 14
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WITH A CASE PLAN GOAL OF ADOPTION BY AGE

Number of Children

800
529
600

44%
316

400
200

26%
21
2%

0

5

2%

Under 1

187
93

64

30%

21%

1-5

16%

6-9

88
28%

10-12

Ages of Children
Placed

Not Placed

37

132
11%

58

19%

13-17

1

<1%

0

0%

18 and Over

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

N= 1,186 Placed

N= 308 Not Placed

38

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 15
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WITH A CASE PLAN GOAL OF ADOPTION BY ETHNICITY
800
599
51%
600
376
32%

400

200

153
50%

95
31%

140
12%

45
4%

43
14%

14
5%

5
<1%

21
2%

2
1%

1
<1%

0
White

Hispanic

African Am.

Am. Indian

Asian

Other

Ethnicity
Placed

N= 1,186 Placed

Not Placed

N= 308 Not Placed

Chart 16
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN WITH A CASE PLAN GOAL OF ADOPTION BY LEGAL STATUS

1200
1000

803
68%

800
600
400

204
66%

240
20%

81
26%

200

143
12%

23
7%

0
Legally Free

Not Free

Partially Free

Legal Status
Placed

Not Placed

N= 1,186 Placed
N= 308 Not Placed
Partially free refers to a situation where only one of the parent’s rights has been severed.

39

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 17
THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN BY LENGTH OF TIME FROM CHANGE
OF CASE PLAN GOAL OF ADOPTION TO ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT

1,000
800

646
54%

600
400
200

63
5%

81
7%

1 to 3
months

3 to 6
months

149
13%

120
10%

6 to 12
months

1 to 2
years

49
4%

78
7%

2 to 3
years

3 or more
years

0
Less than
1 month*

Length of Time

N= 1,186 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.

40

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

ADOPTION SERVICES
A.R.S. § 8-526 (A)(18)(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 364 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 18
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

248
60%

235
65%

200
150

68
19%

100

76
18%

50

43
12%

52
13%

18
5%

37
9%

0
Less than 1 year

1 to 2 years

2 to 3 years

More than 3 years

Length of Time
April 2002-September 2002

October 2001-March 2002

N= 364 April 2002 - September 2002
N= 413 October 2001 - March 2002

41

Child Welfare Reporting Requirements
April 1, 2002 - September 30,
2002
____________________________________________________________________________________________

Chart 19
THE NUMBER AND PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WITH A FINALIZED ADOPTION BY AVERAGE
LENGTH OF TIME IN ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT BEFORE THE FINAL ORDER OF ADOPTION

250
200
150
100

77
21%

89
22%

134
37%

150
36%
83
23%

83
20%

70
19%

91
22%

50
0
Less than 1 year

1 to 2 years

2 to 3 years

More than 3 years

Length of Time
April 2002-September 2002

October 2001-March 2002

N= 364 April 2002-September 2002
N= 413 October 2001-March 2002
*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.

42