The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS): development and utility of an existing...

The National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS): development and utility of an existing system for collecting data and monitoring child abuse in the USJohn D. FlukeVice President ResearchWalter R. McDonald & Associates, Inc.

EUROPEAN SEMINAR ON MONITORING SYSTEMS OF CHILD ABUSEChild abuse: which kind of data for monitoring?Florence, Istituto degli Innocenti, 18 January 2007

January 18, 2007 EUROPEAN SEMINAR ON MONITORING SYSTEMS OF CHILD ABUSE 2

Overview

» Brief History of National US Child Maltreatment Data Collection

» NCANDS Scope and Methods

» NCANDS Data

» Policy and Trends (examples)» Example: Recurrence

» General Discussion of NCANDS and

» The Value of NCANDS Like Systems


National Child Maltreatment Data: Brief History and Context

» Early Studies in the US» Incidents Extracted from Media Reports (1950s – 1970s)» National Reporting Study on Child Abuse and Neglect

» 1976 – 1988» Other Studies of Incidence

» Strauss and Gelles» Finkelhor» Prevent Child Abuse America

» Major US National Data Collection Activities» National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS)

» 1988 - » Other National Data Collection Programs

» National Incidence Study (NIS)» Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS)» National Study of Child and Adolescent Well Being (NSCAW)


Scope, Goals and Purposes of the NCANDS Data Collection

Program » Meets US legal requirements to collect child maltreatment

data» Provides data that are critical to policymakers and

administrators of CPS programs» Data are used to support a range of US initiatives, notably

» ASFA Outcome Measures» Child and Family Services Review Process» Office of Management and Budget Program Assessment

Rating Tool (PART) » Contribute to the understanding of child maltreatment and the

impact of intervention policy


NCANDS Data Collection and Analysis Methods

» Sample» Universe uses no systematic “sampling” approach. » Data are administrative and derived from state Child Protective Service

Agencies.

» Representation» Represents only cases known to one particular service sector (child

welfare).» Includes data from all US states (case level data from 46 of 52 States in

2005).

» Data Collection» Aggregate Data are survey.» Case level from State information systems.


NCANDS Data Collection and Analysis Methods

» Mapping and Validation of Data

» Data are mapped to national categories

» Data are validated for coding, internal consistency, and analytical accuracy and comprehensiveness

» Measures of Maltreatment» Six major categories (Physical, neglect, medical neglect, sexual, emotional,

other).

» Longitudinal» Aggregate data since 1990; case level data since 1993. » Encrypted unique child and perpetrator identifiers.

» Time Period» Data are collected annually.


Investigation and Victimization Rates, 1990-2004

11.9

42.1

47.8

13.714.714.715.215.315.114.013.4 12.9 11.8 12.2 12.5 12.3 12.2

42.2

41.242.142.1 42.0 41.9 42.0

43.2 43.9

41.038.2

36.1

46.3

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

Victimization Rate Investigation Rate


Figure 3-3 Victimization Rates by Maltreatment Type, 2000-2004

Rate per 1,000 Children

0.5

1.21.0

0.3

0.9

0.30.8

3.3

0.30.8

3.0

7.4

0.3

0.9

7.3

2.4

2.8

1.2

7.1

2.3

3.2

1.2

7.2

2.3

1.2

7.5

2.3 2.1

1.2

3.2

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

8.0

PhysicalAbuse

Neglect MedicalNeglect

Sexual Abuse PsychologicalMaltreatment

Other Abuse

Maltreatment Type

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004


Policy and Trends (Example) :Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) Maltreatment Recurrence

» In August 2001, the US Children’s Bureau set the first national standard for recurrence :» A State meets the national standard if of all

children who were victims of substantiated or indicated child abuse and/or neglect during the first 6 months of the period under review, 6.1 percent or fewer children had another substantiated or indicated report within 6 months.


Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) Maltreatment Recurrence

(continued)

» As of June 2006 the Standard has been revised» Of all children who were victims of a substantiated

or indicated maltreatment allegation during the first 6 months of FY 2004, what percent were not victims of another substantiated or indicated maltreatment allegation within the 6-months following that maltreatment incident?

» National Standard Based on 45 States: 94.6% or higher


Survival Analysis Plot for 2002 CM Data:

Recurrence During a 12 Month Period, Over 75% Recurred Within 6 Months (n = 210,641 – 26 States)


Policy and Trends (Example) :How is Data Translated Into

Policy and Programs?» Specific States not meeting standard must implement

a 3 year Program Improvement Plan (PIP) approved by the US government» Plans address a range of programmatic and intervention

strategies, for example:» Multiple maltreatment and chronic neglect» Alternative response systems» Safety and risk assessment systems» Additional research and evaluation

» States not in compliance may be subject to penalties» After each three year cycle the US standards are

reviewed and revised.


Policy and Trends (Example 1) :Policy Related Research

Questions

1. What are the trends in recurrence rates over time?

2. In the presence of other factors that are associated with recurrence, what is the basis for a possible trend in recurrence rates over time?


Children Who Experience Recurrence Within 6 Months

(12 States)

Number of Victims During the First 6 Months of the Year

-10,00020,00030,00040,00050,00060,00070,00080,00090,000

100,000110,000120,000

2001 2002 2003 2004

No Recurrence

Recur Within 6 Months

Percent of Victims During the First 6 Months of the Year Experiencing Recurrence Within 6 Months

8.2%

7.5%7.7%

7.2%

5.0%

5.5%

6.0%

6.5%

7.0%

7.5%

8.0%

8.5%

9.0%

9.5%

10.0%

2001 2002 2003 2004


Research Questions

We see a decline in recurrence rates over time.

…and Answers

1. What are the trends in recurrence rates over time?


Research Questions

What factors predict the likelihood of recurrence?

No, the trend doesn’t exist on its own and operates best when it interacts with other factors such as maltreatment, report source, and the provision of foster care placement.

…and Answers

Child Age, Disability, Maltreatment Type, Perpetrator Relationship, Report Source, Services, Prior Victimization

Does the trend in reduced recurrence operate on its own?

Conclusion: The decline in recurrence among the States is not Conclusion: The decline in recurrence among the States is not just a function of time but is associated with reductions in risk just a function of time but is associated with reductions in risk factors over time. The possibility that State Program factors over time. The possibility that State Program Improvement Plans may have been successful in mitigating Improvement Plans may have been successful in mitigating some risk factors thereby reducing recurrence cannot be some risk factors thereby reducing recurrence cannot be dismissed.dismissed.


How do the NCANDS Data Support National and State

Level Policy and Intervention?» Some of examples of data supporting policy:

» Problem Recognition » Re-entry (rereporting, recurrence, recidivism, etc.)» Racial Disproportionality and Disparity» Neglect

» Standard Setting» Child and Family Services Review Standard Setting» Information System Guidelines (SACWIS)

» Monitoring» Child and Family Services Review» Alternative Response Implementation


General Discussion of NCANDS

» Facilitators of Case Level Data Collection in the US» US Legislation» Related Programs State Automated Child Welfare

» Information Systems (SACWIS)» Child and Family Service Review Process (CFSR)

» System has evolved » Almost all States are Now Providing Case Level Data

(46 in 2005)» Data are timely and available annually» Range of applications has expanded dramatically


NCANDS Characteristics/Features

» Action (regulations, policy, programs)» Data collection program is authorized by US Office of Management

and Budget (OMB)» Supports US HHS Children’s Bureau Child and Family Services

Review Process (CSFR)» Support Children’s Bureau OMB Program Assessment Rating Tool

(PART) measures

» Evaluation» Contract is competitively bid by the US HHS Children’s Bureau

» Feedback loop» Project convenes a State Advisory Group each year» Data program is reviewed for revision every three year


NCANDS Characteristics/Features

» Training» Ongoing training and technical assistance for States

» Quality Assessment» Evolving set of procedures for data mapping (definitions), data consistency analysis,

data review.» Increased use of information system platforms to insure data integrity» Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process with States

» Analysis» Annual report» Descriptive analysis» Compliance reports» Policy studies» Longitudinal studies

» Dissemination» Annual reports (most recent Child Maltreatment 2004)

» http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/stats_research/» The National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (NDACAN) at Cornell

University» http://www.ndacan.cornell.edu/

» Special Reports, Presentations, Publications


Discussion continued

» How is the existence of multiple definitions handled within the US? » Categories are general, capturing a universal view of the measurement

objective» Specific definitions at the State level are mapped to NCANDS Categories» Differences are acknowledged in describing the data» States are encouraged to improve their data and address issues of consistency

over time

» How are different needs for various audiences such as policy, finance, performance outcomes, and research dealt with? » A range of analytic products are developed for various audiences ranging from

the general public to researchers» Data are disseminated for secondary analysis» Specific analysis and analytic infrastructure is developed to meet various US

reporting requirements


The Value of NCANDS Like Systems

» Current and timely» Who is served

» How many

» Characteristics

» Continuity» Ability to monitor trends

» Outcomes and performance

» Research» Longitudinal data

» Special populations

» Infrequent events

» Decision making

» Sampling frames

» Assess Resource» Staffing

» Cost


Disclaimer

John D. Fluke Ph. D.Vice President of Research

Walter R. McDonald & Associates, Inc.5445 DTC Parkway Penthouse Four

Greenwood Village, CO 80111USA

(303) [email protected]

The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers, do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

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