Change Indicator

Foster Care - Length of stay of children who exited and those remaining in care in Pennsylvania

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Why This Indicator Matters

A child should only stay in foster care in order to be safe and free from harm. All efforts should be made to finalize a permanency plan for a child as quickly as possible, with the hope of the child exiting to a family-based option. Reunification continues to be the primary permanency option, with rates continuing to hover around 6 months to achieve.
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Definition and Source

PROVIDER

Definition

The median length of stay (in months) for those children discharged during the reporting period and for those children remaining in foster care on the last day of the reporting period.  The length of stay is based on the latest removal period.  The number of days in placement is divided by 30.4375.

Data Source

PPC analysis of AFCARS longitudinal file produced by Public Consulting Group for Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Children, Youth and Families.

Notes

NA = Not Applicable.

Last Updated

January 2024