Kids Count Data Center

Definitions: Shows the latest placement setting that children were in during the reporting period.  Placement settings are the different environments that children can be placed in when they enter the foster care system.  Pre-adoptive settings, as well as foster family settings (both relative and non-relative) are family-based placement settings.  Group homes and institutions are more restrictive placement settings and are often referred to as congregate care settings.

Data Source: AFCARS Longitudinal File prepared for Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Children, Youth and Families by Hornby Zeller Associates, Inc.

Note: Maps use the natural break classification method, which reflects patterns in the data by dividing the map into naturally occurring groups. Using statistical tools, this method determines cut-off points for each group by identifying large gaps in data values.