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Child and Family Services Review Technical Bulletin #2

October, 2006

Section I of this Technical Bulletin contains information on ACF's approach on determining the time periods for the sample of cases for the onsite Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs). Section II contains the time periods and technical information for Fiscal Years 2007 through 2010.

Section I: Background Information on Determining Time Periods for the Sample of Cases for Onsite CFSRs

In accordance with 45 CFR 1355.33(c), the CFSRs require an onsite review of a random sample of foster care and in-home cases for evaluating the CFSR outcomes. Also, States complete the Statewide Assessment using data profiles that are based on the States' Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) and National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) submissions for specified time periods in accordance with CFSR Technical Bulletin #1. In ACYF-CB-IM-01-06 and ACYF-CB-IM-02-02 we provided the time periods from which case samples were selected for States with onsite CFSRs in Federal fiscal years 2001 through 2004. We are now providing that information for States with subsequent CFSRs in Federal fiscal years 2007 through 2010. We are applying the same logic in guiding the sampling period that we used during the first round of reviews. We are balancing our desire to draw a State's sample of foster care cases to be reviewed from a recent AFCARS submission period, in order to review for recent child welfare practice in the State, with a need to have a sufficient follow-up time for reviewing cases in order to reasonably evaluate practice during the onsite review. Because of the time required to prepare data profiles in accordance with CFSR Technical Bulletin #1, the time period from which we will select the sample of cases to be reviewed onsite will not coincide with the time period covered by the data profile which we will use to compare a State's data with applicable national standards. This is unchanged from the initial round of reviews.

The time frames covered by each State's CFSR data profile to be used in completing the Statewide Assessment are described in Technical Bulletin #1. The time frames from which we will select each State's sample of foster care cases to be reviewed onsite will coincide with a specific six-month AFCARS submission period, and will vary from State-to-State, depending upon when the State's review is scheduled, as noted below. The time frames for selecting the sample of in-home cases to be reviewed onsite will coincide with the six-month foster care sampling period but will include two additional months at the end of the period, for reasons described in ACYF-CB-IM-01-06 and ACYF-CB-IM-02-02.

Section II: Sampling Time Periods and Technical Information

• For States whose onsite CFSRs will be conducted between October 1, 2006 and March 31, 2007, the foster care sampling period will coincide with the six-month AFCARS submission period from October 1, 2005 - March 31, 2006. The in-home services sampling period will be the eight-month period from October 1, 2005 - May 31, 2006.
• For States whose onsite CFSRs will be conducted between April 1, 2007 and September 30, 2007, the foster care sampling period will coincide with the six-month AFCARS submission period from April 1, 2006 - September 30, 2006. The in-home services sampling period will be the eight-month period from April 1, 2006 - November 30, 2006.
• For States whose onsite CFSRs will be conducted between October 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008, the foster care sampling period will coincide with the six-month AFCARS submission period from October 1, 2006 - March 31, 2007. The in-home services sampling period will be the eight-month period from October 1, 2006 - May 31, 2007.
• For States whose onsite CFSRs will be conducted between April 1, 2008 and September 30, 2008, the foster care sampling period will coincide with the six-month AFCARS submission period from April 1, 2007 - September 30, 2007. The in-home services sampling period will be the eight-month period from April 1, 2007 - November 30, 2007.
• For States whose onsite CFSRs will be conducted between October 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009, the foster care sampling period will coincide with the six-month AFCARS submission period from October 1, 2007 - March 31, 2008. The in-home services sampling period will be the eight-month period from October 1, 2007 - May 31, 2008.
• For States whose onsite CFSRs will be conducted between April 1, 2009 and September 30, 2009, the foster care sampling period will coincide with the six-month AFCARS submission period from April 1, 2008 - September 30, 2008. The in-home services sampling period will be the eight-month period from April 1, 2008 - November 30, 2008.
• For States whose onsite CFSRs will be conducted between October 1, 2009 and March 31, 2010, the foster care sampling period will coincide with the six-month AFCARS submission period from October 1, 2008 - March 31, 2009. The in-home services sampling period will be the eight-month period from October 1, 2008 - May 31, 2009.