CFSR Case Review Data Dashboard

CFSR Case Reviews involve an onsite assessment of county child welfare programs. Each quarter, a random sample of cases is selected from all of California’s 58 counties. The county size determines the number of reviews completed each quarter, as outlined in All County Letter 24-03. Counties identified as very small may not have cases selected quarterly but are included in the review at least once annually.

The review includes:

• Interviews with children/youth, parents, foster parents, social workers and others involved in the case

• Examination of both hard copy and electronic case files

• Completed reviews often undergo a second level of state-led quality assurance to ensure accuracy and alignment with OSRI instructions and federal guidelines.

• The OSRI captures two types of data:

• Quantitative Data – Measurable, numerical information such as timelines, frequencies, and outcomes (Strength or Area Needing Improvement) to assess performance in the areas of Safety, Permanency and Well-Being.

• Qualitative Data – Descriptive and contextual information, including the experiences and case details that provide deeper insight into the practice and policies impacting outcomes.

The CFSR Case Review Data Dashboards were designed to enhance existing data-driven processes and better align statewide improvement efforts for child welfare and probation. The dashboards serve as a resource for Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) data toolkits.

• Shared Understanding: Making CFSR Case Review data publicly available to foster shared understanding of strengths and areas for growth and improvement.

• Accessibility: Ensuring data is available to counties, stakeholders, communities, and Tribes to support practice improvement.

• Data-Informed: Promoting data-driven decision-making in policy and practice across the State.

• CFSR Case Review Dashboards provide a visual representation of quantitative case review data and are part of a larger toolkit supporting Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) efforts. 

• The CFSR Case Review data is intended to support informed decisions, transparency, and accountability statewide.

• Data is based on a random sample of the cases within the Child Welfare and Probation systems; not all county cases are reviewed each quarter. 

• CDSS acknowledges the quarterly case review expectations while recognizing that county staffing reductions have impacted the ability to meet these targets and can also hinder best practice.

• Some cases initiated for review may be eliminated due to lack of key participant interviews or other factors.  The CDSS recognizes the time and effort invested in these cases, even though dashboards do not reflect eliminated case counts.

• A Strength rating for case review emphasizes and acknowledges the agency’s proactive efforts and effective practices that support improved family functioning, even if case plan goals aren’t achieved. 

• A Strength rating reflects concerted efforts, the demonstrated effort by the agency’s timely and meaningful engagement to support achievement of case plan goals. 

• An Area Needing Improvement (ANI) rating serves as a tool for identifying opportunities to enhance practice. It offers insight into specific areas where progress can be made, while also recognizing existing strengths and efforts.

• Case counts for individual item ratings are not displayed for confidentiality purposes. 

• To determine how many cases are expected to be reviewed each quarter please refer to the following: ALL COUNTY LETTER NO. 24-03(Appendix C) 

• Filters allow viewing by county, timeframe, item, case type, etc.

• For more information on the CFSR case review process click here: CFSR Overview Video | CFSR Information Portal
  (Approximately 13 minutes)