A Matter of Time: The Importance of Tracking Reentry Into Foster Care Beyond One Year After Reunification

Abstract

Reentry and reunification are key indicators of permanency in the federal Child and Family Services Reviews, and of overall child welfare system functioning. Reunification continues to be the preferred exit when possible; however, any analysis of reunification is incomplete without also determining whether those children later return to foster care. The current federal reentry measure is limited in that it tracks reentry into care for only up to 12 months after reunification. Should gauging the success of maintaining permanent reunification be limited to a 12-month follow-up time frame? Results indicate the importance of reentry analyses that extend beyond 12 months post-reunification.

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