Disproportionality Rates for Children of Color in Foster Care (Fiscal Year 2012)

Since 2011, the NCJFCJ has published Disproportionality Rates for Children of Color in Foster Care Technical Assistance Bulletins, which identify national and state level disproportionality rates. The reports have gained national attention and have been used in a number of ways by a broad spectrum of stakeholders and interested parties. Due to the ongoing need for dialogue surrounding the most currently available statistics on disproportionality, the NCJFCJ has published an updated Disproportionality Rates for Children of Color in Foster Care (Fiscal Year 2012) Technical Assistance Bulletin. This Bulletin, released May 2014, utilizes the most current (2012) Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) data and 2010 census data to calculate current disproportionality indexes for every state. The Bulletin makes comparisons between 2000 and 2012 disproportionality rates to illustrate changes that have occurred in the last decade regarding overrepresentation of children of color in the foster care system. African American and Native American disproportionality rates are illustrated in color coded maps demonstrate trends over time.