Legislative Analyst's Office, January 1996

Child Abuse and Neglect in California Table of Contents

• Part I

  • Introduction

  • What Is Child Abuse and Neglect?

    • Definitions and Types of Child Abuse/Neglect
    • What Happens When There Is a Report of Child Abuse/Neglect?

  • Trends and Characteristics of Child Abuse
    And Neglect in California

    • Mandated Reporters Account for Over Half the Reports of Abuse/Neglect
    • Who are the Victims and Perpetrators of Child Abuse/Neglect?
    • Physical or Sexual Abuse Account for Half the Reports of Abuse/Neglect
    • Reports of Abuse/Neglect Increased Significantly During the Late 1980s
    • California Has the Highest Rate of Reported Abuse/Neglect Among the Ten Largest States
    • Rate of Reported Abuse/Neglect Varies Among Counties
    • Law Enforcement Involvement in Child Abuse Cases
    • Most Common Stress Factors in Abusive Households

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• Part II

  • The Child Welfare Services System, Part A

    • Most Child Abuse/Neglect Cases Are Closed After Initial Intake
    • Proportion of Abuse/Neglect Reports "Screen Out" Varies Among Counties
    • Counseling and Crisis Intervention Are the Most Common Services
    • Fewer Children in the CWS Program Are Receiving Family Maintenance Services
    • Types of Foster Care Placements
    • Foster Care Occupancy Rates Are Below Capacity
    • Foster Care Caseloads Increasing

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• Part III

  • The Child Welfare Services System, Part B

    • Foster Care Caseload Growth Slowing Significantly
    • Foster Care Placements Vary Among Largest States
    • Foster Care Placements Vary Among Largest Counties
    • Foster Care Placement Rates Are Increasing
    • More Foster Care Children Being Placed With Relatives
    • Percent of Ethnic Group Population in Foster Care
    • About Half of the Foster Care Children Are There due to Neglect
    • Independent Living Program Expanding but not Serving All Eligibles

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• Part IV

  • Cost of Child Abuse/Neglect

    • What Are the Costs of Child Abuse and Neglect?
    • CWS Funging Has Increased About 80 Percent Since 1988-89
    • Family Preservation Funding Has Increased Significantly
    • Foster Care Costs Increased 84 Percent Since 1988-89
    • Group Homes have the Highest Cost Per Child

  • Assessment of the Child Welfare Services System

    • Many Reports of Abuse Are Responded to Witnin the First Day
    • Percent of Children Previously in the CWS Program Is Increasing
    • Little Improvement in Foster Care Recidivism
    • One-third of Foster Care Children Have had Three or More Placements
    • Gap Between Family Reunifications and New Foster Care Cases Remains Unchanged
    • Adoptions Peaked in 1991-92

  • CWS Program Performance and Policy Implications

    • Emergency Response
    • Family Maintenance and Reunification
    • Foster Care
    • Adoptions
    • Conclusion