an overview georgia program improvement plan - Department of ...

County Ethnicity Gender Age Count
2 African-American 1 Male 13 years 1
17 years 1
Harris
4 Caucasian
8 Females
6 months 1
4 African-American
1 Male
5 years 1
1 Asian
11-12 years 3
13-14 years 2
15-16 years 2
Overall 16 (70%) Caucasian, 6 (26%) African-American, and 1 (4%) Asian children are represented in the sample. The sample is comprised of 15
(65%) females and 8 (35%) males. The youngest child is 6 months old. The oldest is 17 years old. Overall, the average age is 9 years.
Methodology
An in-depth review and analysis was conducted on twenty-three (23) foster children and seventeen (17) resource families. Data collection began
with a review of foster children’s records. The DFCS Evaluation and Reporting Section, identified the sample foster care children as having been in
care for less than twelve (12) months from the time of the latest removal and having more than two placement moves during the reporting period.
The researcher identified resource families by reading case records of the sample foster children. Data was collected by reviewing resource family
records and by using interviews. A phone interview was conducted with seven (7) resource parents; two (2) families from each of the three (3)
counties were interviewed. In one family, both the mother and father were interviewed resulting in the interview of seven (7) individuals.
Additionally, data was collected on both foster children and resource families, through face-to-face interviews with case managers, program
directors, social services administrators, social service supervisors, and county directors. Consultations were held with state office experts in the areas
of therapeutic foster care, level of care, resource families, foster home assessment, and kinship care. Relevant literature about placement stability was
used to structure the study as well as support the findings.
Summary of Findings on Children
Safe Futures – A Plan for Program Improvement
Georgia Department of Human Resources
November, 2004 Quarter 8 - Work Plan C Page 16