This dashboard is based on a snapshot copy of DCF's Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) database, obtained through a public records request. The last update was August 26, 2025.
How this was calculated
Source & snapshot
This dashboard is built from an FSFN (Florida Safe Families Network) placement history extract dated August 26, 2025, obtained from DCF through a public records request. Where available, a Power BI operational report (Jul 2021 – Aug 2025, statewide only) is overlaid for comparison. The two series agree within ±1% through mid-2023; the FSFN extract undercounts by roughly 10–18% in 2024–2025, consistent with data-entry lag for recent placements not yet fully recorded in FSFN at the time of the extract. Treat 2024–2025 figures across every chart on this page as provisional and understated.
Out-of-Home Care Census
End-of-month count of children in out-of-home placement. Each child is counted once, using their most-recent-starting active placement as of that month.
Entries & Exits
One removal episode per child per month — each row in the FSFN placement history is a placement, so
episodes with multiple placements (transfers) are counted only once. Entries use removal_date;
exits use discharge_date. Geographic assignment uses placement location (provider zip code),
not the child's home address.
Reasons for Removal & Discharge Outcomes
Both shown as a trailing 12-month window by default (or as a full trend if a specific reason/outcome is selected). A removal can carry more than one reason flag (e.g. physical neglect and domestic violence together), so reason bars do not sum to total entries. Each discharge is classified by its final discharge reason (the most recent placement row in that episode).
Placement Types
Snapshot of the most recent month-end by default (or a full trend if a specific placement type is selected). Each child is counted once, using their most-recent-starting active placement. Categories follow the FSFN placement setting, service category, service type, and provider name classification hierarchy.
Geographic assignment
Region and circuit are assigned from the provider's zip code using Census population-weighted zip-to-county allocation — zip codes that straddle county lines are split proportionally.