Recruitment News

May, 2003


AFCARS: 2,833 Adoption Finalizations in Fiscal Year 2002

The official numbers are in. And while the total number of adoption finalizations was down slightly in Fiscal Year 2002, (2,833 in FY 02 compared to 2,927 in FY 01), the results are encouraging and reflect a continuing commitment on the part of adoption professionals and adoptive families to provide children safe, loving families in which to grow. In a time of budget constraints and an ever shrinking work force in the child welfare system, it is heartening to know that children are still achieving permanency.

The AFCARS (Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System) are compiled from data submitted on Form FIA-3154, Adoption Finalization Report and submitted by local FIA office and private adoption agencies as required by the federal government

Some highlights include:

FIA/Private Agency Breakdown

  • Finalizations by FYI: 1,303 (46%)
  • Finalizations by Private agencies: 1,530 (54%)


Age Range of Children

  • 0 - 5: 1,302 (45.96%)
  • 6 - 9: 724 (25.56%)
  • 10 - 12: 489 (17.26%)
  • 13+: 318 (11.22%)

Type of Family

  • Relative: 1,053 (37.17%)
  • Foster Parent: 1,530 (54.01%)
  • Recruited: 250 (8.82%)
  • Married: 1,848 (65.23%)
  • Single Female: 923 (32.58%)
  • Single Male: 62 (2.19%)