an overview georgia program improvement plan - Department of ...
an overview georgia program improvement plan - Department of ...
an overview georgia program improvement plan - Department of ...
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October 2004<br />
Purpose <strong>an</strong>d Design<br />
The purpose <strong>of</strong> this study was to <strong>an</strong>alyze a sample <strong>of</strong> foster care cases to identify characteristics <strong>of</strong> children <strong>an</strong>d resource families that might lead to<br />
placement disruptions. The sample was drawn from the cases <strong>of</strong> foster children in three (3) Georgia counties, each located in a different region, who<br />
have been in care less th<strong>an</strong> twelve (12) months from the time <strong>of</strong> the latest removal <strong>an</strong>d who have experienced more th<strong>an</strong> two (2) moves during this<br />
time. The <strong>an</strong>alysis was based upon information on 23 foster children <strong>an</strong>d 17 resource families.<br />
Sample<br />
Bartow, Fulton <strong>an</strong>d Harris Counties were selected as the three (3) research sites.<br />
Harris <strong>an</strong>d Bartow Counties were selected because the percentage <strong>of</strong> children in foster care for less th<strong>an</strong> twelve (12) months from the time <strong>of</strong> the<br />
latest removal that have no more th<strong>an</strong> two (2) placement moves was lower th<strong>an</strong> the national st<strong>an</strong>dard <strong>of</strong> 86.70%. Fulton County was selected because<br />
it is a large urb<strong>an</strong> area in which diverse <strong>an</strong>d multiple issues related to child welfare are present. The Georgia <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Hum<strong>an</strong> Resources<br />
(DHR), Division <strong>of</strong> Family <strong>an</strong>d Children Services (DFCS) utilizes a data tracking system to monitor key perform<strong>an</strong>ce indicators related to child<br />
welfare. Results are reported monthly. The August 2004 report shows the stability <strong>of</strong> foster care placements for Bartow County at 75%. The stability<br />
<strong>of</strong> foster care placements for Harris County was reported at 78% in the August 2004 report. The stability <strong>of</strong> foster care placements for Fulton County<br />
was reported as 96%. Table 1 is a representation <strong>of</strong> ethnicity, gender, <strong>an</strong>d age <strong>of</strong> the sample <strong>of</strong> children by site.<br />
Table 1<br />
Representation in the study by site, ethnicity, gender, <strong>an</strong>d age<br />
County Ethnicity Gender Age Count<br />
Bartow 11 Caucasi<strong>an</strong> 5 Females<br />
6 Males<br />
0-4 years 5<br />
5-9 years 5<br />
14 years 1<br />
Fulton 1 Caucasi<strong>an</strong> 2 Females 11 years 1<br />
Safe Futures – A Pl<strong>an</strong> for Program Improvement<br />
Georgia <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Hum<strong>an</strong> Resources<br />
November, 2004 Quarter 8 - Work Pl<strong>an</strong> C Page 15
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