Acf Data Structure

{
  "title": "ACF Data Systems Structure",
  "description": "Documents the key data entities and relationships in ACF's major administrative data systems.",
  "version": "2026.1",
  "systems": {
    "AFCARS": {
      "name": "Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System",
      "regulation": "45 CFR 1355.40",
      "reportingFrequency": "Semi-annual",
      "entities": {
        "FosterCareChild": {
          "description": "Child in out-of-home foster care placement",
          "keyFields": {
            "stFCID": "string — state foster care case identifier",
            "childAge": "integer — age in years",
            "sex": "enum: Male | Female",
            "racethnicity": "string — race/ethnicity category",
            "removalDate": "date — date removed from home",
            "removalManner": "enum: Voluntary | Court-Ordered",
            "placementType": "string — current placement setting",
            "caseGoal": "string — permanency goal",
            "monthsInCare": "integer — duration in foster care",
            "ICWA": "boolean — Indian Child Welfare Act applicability",
            "dischargeDate": "date — exit from foster care (if applicable)",
            "dischargeReason": "string — reason for case closure"
          }
        },
        "AdoptedChild": {
          "description": "Child with finalized adoption involving Title IV-E",
          "keyFields": {
            "adoptionFinalizedDate": "date",
            "adoptionSubsidy": "boolean — receiving adoption subsidy",
            "adoptiveParentRelationship": "string — relationship to adoptive family"
          }
        }
      }
    },
    "NCANDS": {
      "name": "National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System",
      "reportingFrequency": "Annual",
      "entities": {
        "ChildFile": {
          "description": "Case-level data on investigated child maltreatment reports",
          "keyFields": {
            "stateAbbr": "string — reporting state",
            "reportId": "string — report identifier",
            "reportDate": "date — date report received",
            "reportSource": "string — type of mandated reporter",
            "maltreamentType1-5": "enum: Physical Abuse | Neglect | Sexual Abuse | Psychological | Medical Neglect",
            "disposition": "enum: Substantiated | Indicated | Unsubstantiated | Closed",
            "childAge": "integer",
            "childSex": "enum: Male | Female",
            "perpetratorRelationship": "string",
            "fosterCareChild": "boolean",
            "services": "array of strings — services provided post-investigation"
          }
        },
        "AgencyFile": {
          "description": "Agency-level aggregated reporting data",
          "keyFields": {
            "stateAbbr": "string",
            "reportsReceived": "integer",
            "reportsInvestigated": "integer",
            "childVictims": "integer",
            "childFatalities": "integer"
          }
        }
      }
    },
    "NYTD": {
      "name": "National Youth in Transition Database",
      "reportingFrequency": "Annual",
      "entities": {
        "Youth": {
          "description": "Youth in foster care tracked for transition outcomes",
          "keyFields": {
            "youthId": "string",
            "age": "integer",
            "fosterCareStatus": "string",
            "educationStatus": "string — enrolled in school/training",
            "employmentStatus": "string — employed/unemployed",
            "housingStatus": "string — stable/unstable",
            "connectionToAdults": "boolean",
            "substanceUse": "boolean",
            "mentalHealth": "boolean",
            "pregnancy": "boolean"
          }
        }
      }
    },
    "TANF": {
      "name": "Temporary Assistance for Needy Families",
      "regulation": "45 CFR 265",
      "reportingFrequency": "Monthly (sample) + Quarterly (aggregate)",
      "entities": {
        "TANFCase": {
          "description": "TANF household benefit record",
          "keyFields": {
            "caseId": "string",
            "reportMonth": "string YYYY-MM",
            "state": "string — FIPS code",
            "county": "string — FIPS code",
            "familyType": "enum: Married Couple | Unmarried Couple | Single Parent",
            "numberOfChildren": "integer",
            "tanfAmount": "decimal — monthly benefit in USD",
            "monthsOnTanf": "integer — cumulative months (60-month federal limit)",
            "workParticipation": "boolean",
            "workActivities": "array of activity codes",
            "sanction": "boolean"
          }
        }
      }
    },
    "CCDF": {
      "name": "Child Care and Development Fund",
      "reportingFrequency": "Annual",
      "entities": {
        "ChildCareCase": {
          "description": "Subsidized child care recipient record",
          "keyFields": {
            "caseId": "string",
            "reportMonth": "string YYYY-MM",
            "state": "string",
            "childAge": "integer — age in months",
            "providerType": "string — licensed center, family home, relative",
            "copayAmount": "decimal — family copay in USD",
            "subsidyAmount": "decimal — government subsidy in USD"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}