CHILD WELFARE

This indicator reports on three measures of permanency following the placement of a child into foster care. “Permanency within 12 months” reports the percent of children placed in homes through reunification with the family, adoption or guardianship within 12 months of removal. “Reentry Following Reunification” tracks those children who reentered foster care within 12 months of reunification with the family or guardianship. “Exits to Permanency” is a measure of children who were in foster care for 24 months or longer, who were then transitioned to a permanent home, including reunified with the family, placed with a legal guardian or adopted.1

The placement of children in out-of-home care is an indicator of when a child cannot remain safely with his or her family.2 Child abuse and neglect is a problem that crosses socioeconomic and raceethnic boundaries with profound effect on the well-being of the children. The number of children growing to maturity in out-of-home care has gained considerable national, state and local attention. Too often these children experience many placements, which can lead to the inability to reunify with their families or attach to a new permanent family. Permanent placement of children helps prevent placement instability, which can be related to attachment disorders, poor educational outcomes, mental health and behavioral problems and negative adult outcomes.

• In 2013/14, 30.0% of Orange County children were placed in permanent homes within 12 months of entering foster care, lower than California at 36.5%. The national goal is greater than or equal to 40.5%.

• Of the children who were placed in permanent homes within 12 months of entering foster care in 2013/14, reunification was the most common type of permanency (26.7%), followed by guardianship (2.1%) and adoption (1.2%).

• In 2012/2013, the percent of children reentering foster care within 12 months of reunification, adoption or guardianship was 9.0%, a 20.0% increase since 2003/04. California is higher at 11.4%. The national goal is less than or equal to 9.3%.3

• In 2014/15, 33.8% of children were in foster care for two years or more before placement in a permanent home, 68.2% higher than 2005/06 (20.1%). California is lower at 28.3%.

• Of all children in care on the first day of the 12-month period who had been in care for 24 months or more, 33.8% were placed in permanent homes within 12 months. The national goal is greater than or equal to 30.3%.

• California

Permanency is defined as achieved when the child is reunified with the family, placed with a legal guardian, or adopted.

Percent of Children Reentering Foster Care within 12 months of Reunification or Guardianship, Orange County and California, 2003/04 to 2012/13

• California

Note: Permanency is defined as achieved when the child is reunified with the family, placed with a legal guardian, or adopted.

: CWS/CMS 2015 Quarter 4 Extract, UC Berkeley Center for Social Services Research

Percent of Children in Foster Care, 24+ Months, Placed in a Permanent Home, Orange County and California, 2005/06 to 2014/15

• Orange County

Note: Due to methodological differences, the reporting period for no reentry following reunification will always be one year behind what is reported for the other measures.

Source: CWS/CMS 2015 Quarter 4 Extract, UC Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research

Note: Permanency is defined as achieved when the child is reunified with the family, placed with a legal guardian, or adopted.

Source: CWS/CMS 2015 Quarter 4 Extract, UC Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research