National Survey of Children in Nonparental Care

This survey provides nationally representative estimates on the characteristics, living arrangements, and service accessibility of noninstitutionalized children who were living apart from their parents (in foster care, grandparent care or other nonparental care) and who were aged 0 to 16 years in 2011-2012. Data on the well-being of the children and of their caregivers are also available. The children’s nonparental care status was identified in a previous SLAITS survey, the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children’s Health.

Quick Facts

• Sponsor(s): The primary sponsor was the Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE); supplemental funding was provided by the Annie E. Casey Foundation
• Period of Data Collection: April 2013 – August 2013
• Sample Size: 1,298 completed interviews with a current caregiver of a child who was in nonparental care and aged 0 to 16 years of age in 2011-2012.
• Sampling Frame: Children who were living apart from their parents (in foster care, grandparent care or other nonparental care) and aged 0 to 16 years old, who were identified as such, in the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH).
• Data Collection: Data were collected over the telephone. Data collection is conducted under contract with NORC at the University of Chicago. Strict confidentiality and privacy regulations apply to all contract and federal project staff for all data. For more information, visit confidentiality policy.

View/Download

• Survey Instrument
• Methodology Report [PDF – 4.64 MB]
• Dataset
• Data Dictionary and Frequency Counts
• SAS Input Programs
• Guidelines for Data Users

For more information, contact Matthew Bramlett at MBramlett@cdc.gov