The Voluntary Cooperative Information System (VCIS) compiled aggregate information about children who experienced substitute care in the United States between 1982 and 1995. Substitute care data were collected voluntarily by the American Public Welfare Association (APWA) from state agencies administering public child welfare programs. VCIS data are annual state-level counts of children entering, in, and exiting substitute care, tabulated by various child attributes such as age, sex, race/ethnicity, or duration of care. The VCIS therefore provides a basis for both cross-sectional and longitudinal state-level analysis, including through linkage to aggregated data from its successor, the Adoption and Foster Care Reporting and Analysis System (AFCARS).

Investigators: Original Investigator(s): American Public Human Service Association (APHSA) (Formerly American Public Welfare Association (APWA)) Secondary Investigators:Alexander F. Roehrkasse, Ph.D. - Duke University Chiara Fontaine - Cornell University LeAnn McDowall - Cornell University Sarah Sernaker, M.S. - Duke University Clayton C. Covington, B.A. - Duke University