Last year the National Family Preservation Network reported in News Notes the removal index rate for state child welfare systems for 2002.

This index, prepared by the National Coalition for Child Protection Reform (NCCPR), is based on data from the federal AFCARS reporting system. NCCPR uses two measures to compile the index:

1. The total number of children removed from their homes based on the total number of children living in poverty, and
2. The number of children removed based on the total child population of each state.

The updated data for 2003 show that states in the top ten for removal of children on both measures include Iowa, Hawaii, Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Colorado.

With the completion of the Child and Family Services Reviews of each state child welfare agency, we can now look at how well states are doing at reunifying families after children have been placed in out-of-home care. The states listed above with the highest removal rates generally meet the federal standards for reunifying children with their families within 12 months. However, these states also have high rates of re-entry.

What are some ways to help states reduce removal rates and successfully reunify more children with their families?

Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, PA) focuses on family strengths and engaging parents in the plan to keep children safe. An intense Family Group Decision Making process is used to engage the family and community in identifying and providing resources to keep the family together. A team approach is used to determine if removal is necessary and to ensure that all other avenues have been exhausted prior to removing the child.

Of the children who are removed, 50% are placed with kin. Reunification is the first choice after removal and there is a yearly celebration for all families who have been reunified with their children. Allegheny County accomplished all of this with no child deaths due to abuse or neglect in 2004.

How can child welfare staff determine if a reunification is likely to succeed?

NFPN has an assessment tool, the North Carolina Family Assessment Scale for Reunification (NCFAS-R), that measures family functioning including readiness for reunification and parent/child ambivalence regarding reunification.

In field-testing, the tool was found valid and reliable. The intensive reunification programs using the tool met the federal standards for reunifying families within 12 months and preventing re-entry into out-of-home care.

NFPN offers training packages on the NCFAS-R, now in use by over 40 agencies nationwide. The Child Welfare League of America has endorsed the tool in its Research to Practice Initiative.

For more information on the NCFAS-R, visit http://www.nfpn.org/reunification/training_package.php.