Factors Associated With Permanency for Children in Out-Of-Home Placement: A Survival Analysis

Abstract

Achieving permanency is a main goal of the child welfare system. To promote timely achievement of permanency, it is important to understand the determinants associated with permanency outcomes. This study aims to examine the length of time children spend in foster care and identify factors associated with achievement of permanency using administrative data from one state spanning a six-year timeframe and including a final sample of 1,874 children. Determinants associated with achievement of permanency were examined through multivariate survival analyses using Cox proportional hazards regression models. The median length of time in days to achieve permanency was: 188 for reunification, 505 for guardianship, and 932 for adoption. Race/ethnicity, age at removal, number of placement changes, number of siblings, having a removal family team decision meeting (FTDM), and placement type were significantly associated with achievement of permanency. Given the findings, this article proposes implications for practice and policy surrounding racial disproportionality, family engagement, kinship care, and placement stability.

Keywords

foster care child maltreatment survival analysis child abuse neglect

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