A report from the Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families tackles ways to decrease the number of children who enter the Arkansas child welfare system. The first part of a planned three-part series, “Reducing The Number Of Children Who Enter The Arkansas Foster Care System” was written in response to the first goal that Arkansas Division of Children and Families Services (DCFS) submitted in order to receive a demonstration waiver from the federal government. (The remaining two goals will be covered in future briefs.)
The brief describes the foster care population in Arkansas, examines some of the reasons that lead to their removal from homes and describe initiatives that DCFS highlighted in their IV-E demonstration waiver as part of efforts to safely reduce the number of children entering foster care (differential response, CANS assessment, nurturing parenting program and team decision-making). Finally, the brief offers a set of recommendations and ideas for further investigations related to reducing the number of children in the system.
To read the brief, click here.
