Notes on Source Data
The main sources of data for this site are the University of California, Berkeley quarterly extracts from the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Child Welfare Services/Case Management System (CWS/CMS). These extracts are pulled approximately one month after each quarter ends, and the data are fully refreshed each quarter. Due to the time it takes to process, run, and validate the data, most information on the website and in the California CWS Outcomes System reports is between three and six months old.
| Extract name |
Data cutoff |
Web publication by |
| Quarter 1 |
April 1 |
July 1 |
| Quarter 2 |
July 1 |
October 1 |
| Quarter 3 |
October 1 |
January 1 (following year) |
| Quarter 4 |
January 1 |
April 1 |
For example, the CWS/CMS 2024 Quarter 1 Extract (Q1 24) reported on events up to the data cutoff of April 1, 2024. Reports based on the Q1 24 extract were available on the website by July 1, 2024.
For reporting purposes, we use the CWS/CMS extracts to construct three primary longitudinal analysis files types (allegation, foster care, and case) which track children’s histories in the Child Welfare System. In addition to specifying supervising county and capturing child-level demographics, these files include additional information:
Allegation File
This file includes one row for each allegation for each child, including allegation type, reporter type, responses such as investigation, as well as allegation disposition (e.g., substantiated, inconclusive, and unfounded).
Foster Care Files
These files include one row for each placement home for each child, including dates of entries and exits to foster care, placement type, and length of stay.
Case Files
-
The primary file includes one row for each case service component for each child. Secondary files serve to locate cases within caseloads, offices, and counties. The files include information about children’s case services, including case openings and closings, and service components.
Transition Age Youth (TAY) Data
-
For children who were in out-of-home care at some point while Age 16 and/or 17, the file provides demographic and placement information at age 18, as well as placement, employment and postsecondary enrollment status at specific follow–up ages.
Population Data Files
-
Includes California Department of Finance (DOF) annual child population counts and Poverty Population Estimates derived from the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS).
Quarterly Wage File
-
Quarterly Wage data from 1993 forward for all children age 16 and older with a record of an out-of-home foster care placement in the Child Welfare Services / Case Management System (CWS/CMS) since January 1, 1998.
Postsecondary Enrollment Data
-
Postsecondary Enrollment data for children age 16 and older with a record of an out-of-home foster care placement in the Child Welfare Services / Case Management System (CWS/CMS).