FFY 2024 AFCARS Foster Care Data Release
This report provides some, but not all, of the same information that is available in the dashboard. All information presented in this report is also available in the dashboard, so the dashboard is the primary source for AFCARS counts. This report is provided as a printer-friendly resource.
AFCARS 2020 Data
The dashboards presented here represent AFCARS based on the final rule published on May 12, 2020 (see 85 FR 28410 and Technical Bulletin 20). Data collected under this final rule are referred to as “AFCARS 2020” data and were first collected starting with the 2023 federal fiscal year. Prior to that, AFCARS data were collected based on the final rule published on December 22, 1993. This report only uses AFCARS 2020 data, except for data presented in the “Numbers at a Glance” that come from years prior to 2023. While counts for years prior to 2023 are displayed here, they should be
considered separate from the counts for AFCARS 2020 data because the reporting population changed.
Data presented here include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and title IV-E tribes. At the time this report was developed, Washington and Wyoming had not submitted AFCARS 2020 data and, therefore, are not included. While some U.S. territories other than Puerto Rico and some title IV-E tribes have begun to submit AFCARS data, they are not included in this report at this time. Any reference in this report to “jurisdictions” includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the title IV-E tribes, unless otherwise noted.
Data Limitations
AFCARS 2020 data feature numerous new data elements and require a new reporting format for jurisdictions’ data submissions. As a result, some jurisdictions are still in a capacity-building phase as they endeavor to submit high-quality and structurally compliant AFCARS data submissions. This is most impactful for data elements that are either new or have new components, particularly living arrangements, permanency plans, and termination of parental rights. Caution and reason should be used when interpreting these fields. If a result seems unusual or uncharacteristic, it may be due to the jurisdiction’s continuing efforts to ensure its infrastructure, data system, policies, and training support accurate AFCARS 2020 submissions. Refer to AFCARS Technical Bulletin 20 for specific information on the data elements and how data are to be reported. While we recognize that jurisdictions continue to refine and improve their data submissions, the overall counts of entries, children in foster care on the last day of the federal fiscal year (September 30), and exits are approximately as expected. That said, we expect to see continued changes and improvement as jurisdictions refine their reporting methods. Publishing the report based on the current information recognizes the efforts jurisdictions have made to submit these data, provides the public with information about child welfare system dynamics, and serves as a starting point for continued improvement of the AFCARS data submissions.