AFCARS data

[Beth Bryant <nebryant@xxxxxxx>]

Hello all:

I have been lurking about on the list, and have to say that it is the
busiest list I have ever seen. I have learned a lot just by reading the
posts, but decided that it is time to jump into the fray. I have been
working on a project with the AFCARS dataset, looking at the relationship
of medical or emotional disorders to foster care placement and outcome. I
chose this dataset because, eventually, it will provide some national data
on adoption and foster care in the U.S. Currently, however, the foster care
portion contains data from only a limited number of states. My concern lies
in assuming that the my variables of interest (namely, the "DSM-III
disorder" and "other Medical Condition" categories) are measured in the
same way by each state. If this is the case, then to collapse across states
for the analyses seems reasonable. However, if it is not, then I feel I
must use the data from only one state as an exemplar. So I write today
looking for two types of assistance:

1)	I am in need of some advice from those who actually submit AFCARS data
from any state. Specifically, how are the "DSM-III disorder" and "other
Medical Condition" categories determined? And are there any special
circumstances that I should keep in mind when looking at these variables in
your state?

2)	If I use only one state as an exemplar, it would likely be California,
as their data is quite complete, and the state has a large number of
children in foster care. I have read many journal articles about foster
care in California (e.g., by Halfon and Klee) but have no first-hand
knowledge of this system. I would like to get in touch with at least one
professional in the California foster care system, particularly one
familiar with the AFCARS data, in order to process some of my findings and
make sure that I am reporting them in the most responsible and accurate way.

If anyone would care to respond to either of my requests, please email me
directly at nebryant@ufl.edu. And if anyone else has some general advice
for me on this endeavor, I would also welcome this. Thank you!

Beth

So, if anyone on the list is involved in the preparation of 

Beth Bryant
Doctoral Candidate
Clinical and Health Psychology
University of Florida
nebryant@ufl.edu