Re: calculating out of home placement time

[SCHOCKNER Leslie <Leslie.Schockner@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Children's Bureau website lists the programming logic for the calculation
of the national outcomes measures, although there continues to be definitional
variance among the states as to what constitutes an"episode."  Try this link

http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb/dis/index.htm

You may want to try to attend the upcoming national conference in Arlington VA
for background on the questions you raise.

4th National Child Welfare Data Conference,
                   National Resource Center for Information
                   Technology in Child Welfare
                   April 2-6, 2001, Washington, DC

                   Contact: 
                    
                         Tom Hay
                         National Resource Center for
                         Information Technology in Child Welfare
                         440 First Street NW, 3rd Floor
                         Washington, DC 20001
                         (877) NRC-ITCW; Fax: (202) 638-4004
                         E-mail: nrcitcw@cwla.org
                         Web Site: http://www.nrcitcw.org

Leslie T. Schockner
Research, Evaluation & Quality Mgr
Oregon Services to Children & Families
500 Summer St. NE - 2nd Fl.
Salem, OR 97301-1067
503/945-5689 - voice
503/581-6198 - fax
leslie.schockner@state.or.us

>>> scash@mailer.fsu.edu 03/12/01 07:28AM >>>
Hello.
I am in the process of working with a state agency (hi Coleman)- in
determining how state's or those who do evaluations with states calculate
length of time in out of home placements .  What is considered a placement?
Just placements that last over 30 days, emergency shelter placements,
respite care placements?
What are methods that others have used in calculating this.  I have seen and
read the way in which Wulczyn and colleagues have calculated it, I am just
curious as to how others approach this problem.  Are there any "industry"
standards that are set in capturing this-- has anyone developed methods for
calculating any of the outcomes as set for in the ASFA legislation?  These
numbers are critical, yet the lack of information in this area makes it
difficult if not impossible to compare data within states, and between
states.
Thanks in advance for any assistance or information that is provided in
regards to this discussion.

Scottye Cash