How to use the PCC Comparative Report

This page answers some of the most frequently asked questions about how to use elements of the PCC Comparative Report to aid DCBS workers and RPCs in making placement choices between PCC programs. This is not a description of all of the reports' elements. Individual elements of the Comparative Report should not be used isolation: they are intended to be used together in making placement decisions. It may be helpful to print a sample PCC Comparative Report and review it as you consider the element descriptions below. If you have questions about the PCC Comparative Report please contact the PCC program's "Report Contact" or Tye Reece at CRP (859) 455-7452 ext. 228.

County(s) of Program or Foster Homes: Can be used to determine which programs have homes close to or in the child's county of origin.

On-site school: If an on-site school is needed, this indicates if this service is available.

Supplemental Information: A narrative by the provider which may explain Comparative Report results, special situations or special services offered by the program.

Average LOC at Intake: This is the average level of care of current residents at intake. It estimates the severity of children accepted by the program.

IQ 0-55 % etc.: Percentages of the current population whose most recent, valid full scale IQ is in the defined range. This can be used to estimate the population's functioning level and if the program is a good fit for a child.

Client Populations that are Absolutely Excluded: These are the resident behaviors/needs that are absolutely excluded from a program. Categories include:

Sexually Reactive
Sexually Acting Out
Sexual Perpetrator
Chemically Dependent
A/D Recovery
A/D Use
High AWOL risk
Suicidal Behavior
Non ambulatory
Insulin Dependent
Hearing Impaired
Visually Impaired
Infectious Disease
Medically Fragile
Life Support Needed
Eating Disorder
Sibling Groups
Pregnant
Parenting
Mental Illness/Mental Retardation Dual Diagnosis
Mental Illness/Chemically Dependent Dual Diagnosis
Mental Retardation/Chemically Dependent Dual Diagnosis

Risk Indicator Percentages at Intake: Percentages of current residents that were assigned to the categories by the program within 60 days after intake. May be used to find the best fit between a program and a child in terms of the program's experience with particular issues.

Staff Information: The number of staff, average length of employment by the agency in months, and the percentage of highest education are presented in table format for the four categories of staff listed. This can be used to estimate staff experience and education.

Availability of Internal Medical Staff: If a child has medical issues that may need specific attention, this will indicate on site availability of agency or contract staff.

Safety Outcomes

Abuse/Neglect substantiations in last year: Number of substantiations against program staff/foster parents resulting from incidents that were substantiated during the 12 months prior to when this report was updated.

Percentage of foster families caring for more than 2 children and percentage of these who are caring for a sibling group: This provides information on a program's current performance in housing sibling groups and how crowded foster homes may be.

Physical Managements & Critical Incidents Ratio: Physical Managements and critical incidents are reported as ratios per 100 resident days. For example, a result of 1.00 would mean there was 1 incident for every 100 resident days over the reporting period of the report. Programs are compared against their peers, e.g. "within average range" if the program's score is within one standard deviation of the peer group average for the reporting period.

Permanency Outcomes

Planned Discharge to Home-Like Placement and Less Restrictive Placement: Indicate the percentage of planned discharges that were to a home-like (or less restrictive setting). Discharges to short term placements (e.g., hospitals) when the program takes the child back are not included. Discharges from one foster home within an agency to another foster home within the agency are not included. Programs are compared against their peers, e.g. "within average range" if the program's score is within one standard deviation of the peer group average for the reporting period.

Placement Source Unplanned Discharge Rate: Indicates the percentage of unplanned discharges that were due to a reason deemed to be the program's responsibility (e.g, Behavior Problem, Needs More Restrictive Care). Discharges to short term placements (e.g., hospitals) when the program takes the child back are not included. Discharges from one foster home within an agency to another foster home within an agency are not included. Programs are compared against their peers, e.g. "within average range" if the program's score is within one standard deviation of the peer group average for the reporting period.

Runaway Rate: This is a subset of the Placement Source Unplanned Discharge Rate which measures only those discharges where the child ran away and did not return.

Psychiatric Discharge Rate: This is a subset of the Placement Source Unplanned Discharge Rate which measures only those discharges where the child was discharged to the hospital and did not return to the original placement.

Refer Source Unplanned Discharge Rate: Indicates the percentage of unplanned discharges that were due to a reason that is not the program's responsibility and is out of control of the facility (e.g, judge orders child home, child has needs not identified at admission). Discharges to short term placements (e.g., hospitals) when the program takes the child back are not included. Discharges from one foster home within an agency to another foster home within an agency are not included. Programs are compared against their peers, e.g. "within average range" if the program's score is within one standard deviation of the peer group average for the reporting period.

Well-being Outcomes

Individual, Group, and Family Counseling: Indicates the number of children receiving counseling services and the percentage of these that are received internally and/or externally.

Adoptions by the Program's Foster Parents: The number of adoptions of DCBS children by the program's foster parents during the 12 months prior to when this report was updated.

Description of How Program Supports Family Connections: Narrative by the program indicating their efforts to support the process of reunification for children when reunification is the goal, e.g. transportation to family visits.