Non-Relative Foster Care Placement
Why we track this indicator
Children placed in out-of-home foster placements with a non-relative have been seen to increase the risk of behavioral and developmental challenges. This indicator helps gauge the health and stability of the family unit, and can provide insights about how social, economic, and cultural factors are affecting children.
Source: Indiana Department of Child Services
Non-Relative Foster Care Placement Data Breakdown
Status: Red
Definition: Quarterly change in the average number of DCS out-of-home non-relative placements for foster care. This information is found through DCS’s CHINS Placements by County monthly report, Elkhart County is Region 3. The resulting change between quarters represents the trend. This information is obtained through publicly available data.
Source: Department of Child Services
Last Updated: September 2024
Mitigating Factors: None reported
Methodology
Methodology: This indicator is calculated by a comparison of all non-relative out-of-home placements for the current quarter to the previous quarter. The resulting number represents the total change this indicator experienced.
Goal: To have fewer non-relative out-of-home placements per quarter.
Traffic Light:
Green: at least 1 placement fewer compared to previous quarter
Gray: within +/- 1 placement compared to previous quarter
Red: at least 1 placement more compared to previous quarter
Supporting Research
The impact of foster care on development
Foster care is a protective intervention designed to provide out of home placement to children living in at-risk home environments.
Estimating the “Impact” Out-of-Home Placement on Child Well-Being: Approaching the Problem of Selection Bias
This study estimate(s) the impact of out-of-home placement on children's cognitive skills and behavior problems.
Out-of-home placement in early childhood and psychiatric diagnoses and criminal convictions in young adulthood: a population-based propensity score-matched study
To ensure their protection and healthy development, children exposed to adverse family circumstances might be placed in foster homes, institutions, or kinship care.
Out-of-Home Care
Resources and information about out-of-home care.
Related Indicators
Click to see more data trends related to Non-Relative Foster Care Placement
Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS)
The Indiana Department of Child Services leads the state’s response to allegations of child abuse and neglect and facilitates child support payments.
Indicators in Action
The ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program will provide low barrier grants to collaborating partners which will help increase cross-system collaboration and facilitate the community response to needs and/or gaps identified through the Elkhart County Child Dashboard. Applicants may request up to $2,000. Two or more applicants can collaborate for collaborative action based upon one or more data indicators and increase the grant request. By leveraging the ‘Data Action Mini Grant’ program partners can have a platform that helps to inform community goals and creates a stronger sustainability platform for their programs.
For a copy of the 1-page proposal template click here or email David Wiegner.