California Department of Social Services Children’s Services Operations and Evaluation PRESENTED TO THE CHILD WELFARE COUNCIL ON DECEMBER 12, 2012 REVISED ON FEBRUARY 15, 2013 BASED ON FEEDBACK FOR CLARITY Reunification Outcomes in California

Goals To provide baseline data on the number of children served in the Family Maintenance service component of the Child Welfare System:  The provision of these services both before and/or after being served in Family Reunification service component of the Child Welfare System To provide baseline data on the number of children served in foster care under the Family Reunification service component of the Child Welfare System To understand which populations achieve better reunification outcomes within our current Child Welfare System 2

Case Start Removal from home Return home Case End Family Reunification Services Family Reunification Pathways Services to promote safe and timely reunification Services to prevent removal Services to stabilize families post- reunification to prevent re-entry into foster care Post-Placement Family Maintenance Pre-Placement Family Maintenance 3

How many children have families who are receiving Family Reunification Services? 4

How soon do children reunify with their families? Of those children who entered foster care for the first time (approximately 23,000) in 2011 and 2010, we can expect that:  26% of children reunified within six months  43% reunified within one year,  62% will reunify within two years,  64% will reunify within three years or more (Multi State Foster Care Data Archive, Chapin Hall). 5

How many children re-enter care following reunification with their families? Eleven percent of children who reunified with their families in Federal Fiscal Year 2011 re-entered foster care within 12 months. Infants were more likely than any other age group (17%) to re-enter foster care within 12 months following reunification. Children placed in group care (19%) and foster family homes (15%) were more likely to re-enter foster care within 12 months following reunification. Children placed in relative care were least likely to re-enter the system. Infants who entered foster care for the first time and who were placed in foster family homes are at greatest risk of re- entry; nearly 23% experienced a subsequent removal. 6

Child Welfare Sample 31,771 children who have reunified at least once in the last year. 45% of children were receiving services through an open case plan as of November 30, 2012 Age at first case opening:  0–5 years old - 51%  6-10 years: 24%  years: 25% Gender: 48% female Race: 44% Latino, 30% White, 20% Black, 3% Asian American, 2% American Indian. 7

Post-Placement Family Maintenance Family Reunification 51 % 23 % Post-Placement Family Maintenance Family Reunification Pre-Placement Family Maintenance Family Reunification Family Maintenance 15 % 9%9% Case Start Removal from home Return home (31,771) Case End What combination of services (via Service Component) did families receive? 8

Definitions Successful reunification – Cases that resulted in reunification, 50% of the total sample Unsuccessful reunification – Reunification was attempted, but parental rights were eventually terminated and children experienced multiple re- entries, 15% of the total sample In Progress – Families have an open case plan in Family Reunification or Family Maintenance, 34% of the total sample 9

Effects of Family Stabilization Services Provision of Post-Placement FM services result in:  Fewer re-entries into care  Shorter stays in foster care  Greater chance of successful reunification:  Families who received family reunification services only and did not receive family maintenance services after foster care, 17% unsuccessful reunification  Families who received family reunification services and family maintenance services after foster care, 3% unsuccessful reunification 10

Factors Associated with Successful Reunification Provision of Post-Placement Services Reasons children were placed into foster care:  When children were removed due to physical or emotional abuse, the system is more successful in helping parents develop positive parenting skills.  The system is less successful in helping parents overcome incapacities or issues (e.g., mental/physical health, substance abuse) that led to neglect or abuse of their children. Demographic characteristics  The system is most successful in reunifying Asian America/Pacific Islander families; and  least successful in reunifying American Indian families. 11