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. “Re-entry Following Reunification” tracks those children who re-entered 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 occurs when a child cannot remain safely with his or her family. Child abuse and neglect is a problem that crosses socioeconomic and racial ethnic boundaries with a 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 placements for children help prevent placement instability, which can be related to attachment disorders, poor educational outcomes, mental health and behavioral problems and negative adult outcomes.

• In 2014/15, 32.2% of Orange County children were placed in permanent homes within 12 months of entering foster care, lower than California at 35.6%. 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 2014/15, reunification was the most common type of permanency (29.7%), followed by adoption (1.9%) and guardianship (0.5%).

• In 2013/14, the percent of children in Orange County re-entering foster care within 12 months of reunification, adoption or guardianship was 9.0%, a 2.3% decrease since 2004/05. California was higher at 11.3%. The national goal is less than or equal to 9.3%.2

• In 2015/16, 33.3% of children in foster care for two years or more were placed in a permanent home, 60.9% higher than 2006/07 (20.7%). California is lower at 29.0%. The national goal is greater than or equal to 30.3%.

• California

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

: CWS/CMS 2016 Quarter 4 Extract, UC Berkeley Center for Social Services Research

Percent of Children Re-entering Foster Care within 12 months of Reunification, Adoption or Guardianship, Orange County and California, 2004/05 to 2013/14

• California

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

Source: CWS/CMS 2016 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, 2006/07 to 2015/16

• Orange County

Note: Permanency is defined as achieved when the child is reunified with the family, placed with a legal guardian, or adopted. Source: CWS/CMS 2016 Quarter 4 Extract, UC Berkeley, Center for Social Services Research