What is the status of states’ systems of record?
We asked states to describe the child welfare information system that staff use to report to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS). We refer to this system as the system of record.
Which types of service data are integrated into the system of record?
States were asked about their integrated data (i.e., data that have been systematically incorporated into the state system of record). States identified which state services had data integrated into their system of record and the method of integration.
States could choose multiple services and then multiple integration methods for each service. Exhibit 2 shows the number of states that integrated each type of service data, overall and by integration method.
How long do states keep screened-out and unsubstantiated reports of child maltreatment in their systems of record?
All states retain records on substantiated reports of child maltreatment and use them to conduct background checks for people who will be working with, fostering, or adopting children (Child Welfare Information Gateway 2018b). However, states vary in their standards for expunging data—that is, removing old or inaccurate records related to child maltreatment reports that are not substantiated. Older records can be used as part of screening and investigating subsequent reports of child abuse and neglect. States that expunge data more quickly may have less historical information on maltreatment reports to connect to data in child welfare and other systems.