The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Administration for Children and Families (ACF), has announced a request for public comments on a significant new phase of data collection for the National and State Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSSCAW). This development, detailed in the Federal Register on August 28, 2026, signals ACF's intent to gather current information from a new cohort of children and families involved with the child welfare system, continuing a program previously approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The Purpose of NSSCAW
NSSCAW is designed to furnish states with crucial data to inform decision-making regarding practice and policy improvements. The survey's core objective is to strengthen child and family well-being, proactively prevent the need for foster care, and enhance the recruitment and retention of safe and stable foster homes. By providing state and national estimates on the well-being, experiences, service needs, and receipt of services for this vulnerable population, NSSCAW plays a foundational role in evidence-based policy development.
Scope of Data Collection
The survey instruments are crafted to collect firsthand information across several critical domains. These include child and family health and well-being, family needs, and contextual factors influencing their situations. Importantly, NSSCAW also gathers information about the safety and stability of a child's home environment. This extends to understanding the motivators and challenges faced by foster and kin caregivers, offering insights into the complex dynamics of out-of-home placements.
Methodology and Participants
ACF's request outlines a three-pronged approach for this new data collection effort. First, it seeks approval to recruit a purposively selected set of states and randomly selected county child welfare agencies within those states to participate in NSSCAW. Second, the plan involves sampling child cases from these participating states and agencies. Finally, the initiative will conduct interviews with sampled children, aged 6 to 17, and their caregivers, encompassing both biological and extended family (kin) caregivers, as well as foster caregivers, of children aged 0 to 17.
Once collected, the data will be deidentified and archived, ensuring its utility for future research. Respondents will include child welfare agency data systems staff, who will submit monthly sample files. Caregivers will complete a baseline survey and a telephone verification interview, while children aged 6 to 17 will complete a separate baseline survey. Additionally, caregivers and young adults aged 18 and older will complete a panel maintenance contact card.
Administrative Details and Burden
Public comments on this information collection request are due by September 28, 2026. The request seeks a three-year approval period to facilitate sufficient time for baseline data collection. The estimated total annual burden hours associated with this extensive data collection across all respondent types is 3,673 hours. The authority for this undertaking is cited under 42 U.S.C. 628b and the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2025.
Implications for Child Welfare Policy
The continuation of NSSCAW with a new cohort underscores the federal government's commitment to data-driven decision-making in child welfare. The insights garnered from this survey are invaluable for state and local agencies struggling with complex issues such as child maltreatment, family preservation, and foster home shortages. By providing a comprehensive, national picture, the survey allows policymakers to identify emerging trends, assess the effectiveness of existing interventions, and tailor new programs to address specific needs. The focus on firsthand accounts from children and caregivers adds a critical qualitative layer to the quantitative data, offering a more holistic understanding of the challenges and successes within the system. This ongoing collection of current data is essential for adapting policies to the evolving landscape of child welfare and ensuring resources are directed where they can have the greatest positive impact.
