The target population for the NSCAW includes all children and families that enter the child welfare system. Two samples were drawn from the population in 92 participating county child welfare agencies throughout the nation. The CPS sample includes 5,501 children, who were between the ages of 0 and 14 years at the close of the investigation. All investigations for the sample were closed between October 1, 1999 and December 31, 2000. The second sample consists of an additional 727 children, who were in out-of-home care for about 12 months at the time of sampling. This second group, referred to as the One Year in Foster Care (OYFC) Sample, was selected to allow special analysis related to the experience of out-of-home care. Wave 1 data collection took place 2-6 months after the close of the investigation. Waves 2, 3, and 4 took place 12, 18, and 36 months after the investigation, respectively. The Wave 5 follow-up took place in five staged cohorts 59-97 months after the investigation.

Investigators: Research Triangle Institute