American Indian Children in Arizona Fred Fisher November 15, 2013

1. American Indian Children in ArizonaFred FisherNovember 15, 2013

2. What do we need to know about the data? American Indian Children in Arizona

3. Challenges in collecting accurate data on AIAN children in care • undercounting/limited data collection • diffusion of responsibility for AIAN children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect • lack of consistency in the tracking of ethnicity and tribal membership So…to what extent do these challenges persist in Arizona?

4. Pathway through the child welfare system: data at various decision points (FY11)* note: based on primary race/ethnicity • Data source throughout slides: AFCARS data, made available by National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect Data (NDACAN), Cornell University

5. What does the data we have tell us about American Indian children in foster care? American Indian Children in Arizona

6. Since FY05, between 7-8 percent of children entering care in Arizona are American Indian* • Unless otherwise noted, data is presented for any child identified as American Indian, alone or in combination with other races/ethnicities • Data source throughout slides: AFCARS data, made available by National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect Data (NDACAN), Cornell University

7. The majority of AIAN children enter care due to neglect and parental substance abuse

8. Young children make up a larger percentage of children entering care The number of young, school-age AIAN children entering care are increasing.

9. A slightly larger percentage of AIAN children are placed in non-relative foster care

10. A smaller percent of AIAN children in non-relative foster care are placed with an AIAN caregiver

11. In most years, AIAN children are as likely as non-AIAN children to be in care 2 years or longer

12. Most long staying AIAN youth have a permanent case plan goal Placement Setting for AIAN Children In Care 2+ Years Case Plan Goal for AIAN Children In Care 2+ Years

13. AIAN children leaving care are less likely to achieve permanency

14. In FY12, 23% of AIAN children leaving care are not achieving permanency

15. In summary, 7- 8% of all children entering care in AZ are AIAN. These children are… • More likely to be from families dealing with neglect and parental substance abuse • More likely to be placed in non-relative foster care • Less likely to be placed with same race/ethnicity caregivers • As likely as non-AIAN children to have been in care for many years • Less likely to achieve permanency How can we improve outcomes for these children?

16. Contact InformationFred Fisherffisher@casey.org206.378.4638 American Indian Children in Arizona