Q&A
Trends in foster care entries and family outcomes since 2020
1:53:53
·
63 sec
Council Member Stevens asks about trends observed in foster care entries and family outcomes since the implementation of new contracts in 2020. Commissioner Dannhauser highlights significant changes and improvements.
- There has been a 50% decrease in families going to court-ordered supervision compared to pre-pandemic years
- Foster care admissions have decreased by about 13% compared to pre-pandemic levels
- ACS learned valuable lessons during the pandemic about providing concrete supports and prevention services
- The agency is seeing improvements in connecting families with prevention services after initial challenges during the pandemic
- Workforce challenges among providers are starting to improve, leading to an increase in the number of families served
Althea V. Stevens
1:53:53
Since the implementation of new contracts in 2020, what trends are you observed, in foster care and in entries and family outcomes?
Jess Dannhauser
1:54:03
So there's an enormous shift since since 2020.
1:54:06
Really, obviously, we had a major pandemic there.
1:54:11
In in compared to 2019, 2018, 2017, about 50% fewer, families are going to for court ordered supervision.
1:54:23
We're seeing also about a 13% decrease in the number of admissions into foster care pre pandemic.
1:54:30
We learned a lot during the pandemic about getting concrete supports out, providing prevention, and making sure that we continue to do excellent assessments.
1:54:39
We're also, there was a lag in sort of, connection with prevention services as we brought fewer families to court.
1:54:48
Providers had workforce challenges.
1:54:49
We're starting to see some of that improve, and that's why we're seeing some of the increases more recently in the number of families served.
