State-level Data for Understanding Child Welfare in the United States
This comprehensive child welfare resource provides state and national data on child maltreatment, foster care, kinship caregiving, permanency, and older youth in care. The data are essential to help policymakers understand how many children and youth come in contact with the child welfare system, and why. States can use this information to ensure that their child welfare systems support the safety, stability, and well-being of all families in their state.
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Child Maltreatment
State
Child neglect and abuse—also known as maltreatment—is a grave concern that is associated with many negative outcomes, including physical injuries, psychological problems, and (in extreme cases) death. After receiving referrals, child protective services agencies investigate to determine whether children are at risk of maltreatment, if maltreatment occurred, and if services are needed. Children and families may receive a variety of services, including family preservation, foster care, mental health supports, and substance abuse treatment.
Hover your cursor over words with underlines to see their definitions. In line charts, hover over the dots that appear along the lines to see values for that year. For lollipop graphs (i.e., dots on the right side of horizontal lines), hovering over the dot reveals the number of children associated with the percentage. “NA” appearing indicates that data was not available.
Referrals made to the child welfare agency
Number of referrals1
Rate of referrals per 1,000 children
Investigations of maltreatment reports
Investigations of maltreatment reports
Children who were maltreated
Number and rate of maltreated children
Number of maltreated children3
Chart
Rate of maltreated children per 1,000 children
Table
Other information on maltreated children
Victims of maltreatment
Demographics of maltreated children
Race and ethnicity6
Type of maltreatment experienced7
Age distribution8
Postresponse services
Postresponse services
Source, unless specified otherwise:
The data used in this publication were obtained from the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect and have been used in accordance with its Terms of Use Agreement license. The data represent the federal fiscal years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 reporting periods (October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019, October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020, October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021, October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022, respectively). Unless otherwise noted, for each calculation, children who were missing data on the relevant indicator were excluded from analyses. The Administration on Children, Youth and Families, the Children’s Bureau, the original dataset collection personnel or funding source, NDACAN, Cornell University and their agents or employees bear no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations presented here. Datasets used include:
- Dataset #237, NCANDS Child File FY2019, Version 5; Dataset #244, NCANDS Agency File FY 2019, Version 3
- Dataset #253, NCANDS Child File FY2020, Version 3; Dataset #254, NCANDS Agency File FY 2020, Version 3
- Dataset #263, NCANDS Child File FY2021, Version 2; Dataset #264, NCANDS Agency File FY 2021, Version 2
- Dataset #279, NCANDS Child File FY2022; Dataset #280, NCANDS Agency File FY 2022
Notes
1Referral totals are calculated using the sum of screened-in referrals and screened-out referrals. National estimates exclude Illinois, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania because they were unable to provide data for both screened-in and screened-out reports. Screened-in referrals come from the Child File and screened-out referrals come from the Agency File. Referrals can include more than one child.
2This is a unique count of children who received a CPS response in the form of an investigation or alternative response. In other words, a child who had at least one maltreatment report investigated/assessed was counted once, regardless of how many investigations/assessments they had.
3Unless noted otherwise, data on victims represent “unique victims” (i.e., a child is counted once regardless of how many times they were determined to be a victim of maltreatment).
4“First-time victims” are those with no previous findings of maltreatment.
5Number of child fatalies was obtained from the Agency file.
6If a child is determined to be of Hispanic origin, they are only counted as Hispanic and are not included in any other racial/ethnic categories. Data for the general child population (ages 0 – 17) in 2022 are from the U. S. Census Bureau which are publicly available on the U.S. Census Bureau website.
7Total may exceed 100 percent because children could have experienced more than on type of maltreatment. The “neglect” category includes fetal alcohol syndrome, prenatal substance abuse exposure, abandonment, and educational neglect. The “other maltreatment” category includes sex trafficking and unknown.
8Percentages for those unknown, unborn, or 18-21 years old are not presented here as they represent a very small percentage of the overall total.
9The numbers of victims and non-victims are duplicate counts; a child is counted each time that a CPS response is completed and services are provided. NCANDS collects data for 26 types of services, including but not limited to adoption, foster care, family preservation, mental health, and substance abuse.
10Foster care services are defined as activities associated with 24-hour substitute care for children placed away from their parents or guardians and for whom the State Title IV-B/IV-E agency has responsibility for placement, care, or supervision. Only children who were removed from their home after the report date are counted.
Foster Care
State
Children are placed in foster care when a child protective services worker and court have determined that it is not safe for them to remain in their home. This decision should not be taken lightly: Separation from parents and disruptions from usual routines and familiar surroundings are traumatic for children. Children in foster care need strong relationships with caring adults, a network of social support, and services to cope with the challenging circumstances of family separation.
Hover your cursor over words with underlines to see their definitions. In line charts, hover over the dots that appear along the lines to see values for that year. For lollipop graphs (i.e., dots on the right side of horizontal lines), hovering over the dot reveals the number of children associated with the percentage. “NA” appearing indicates that data was not available.
Entering foster care
Number and rate of children entering foster care
Number of children entering foster care1
Rate of entries into foster care per 1,000 children2
First-time entries into foster care
Table
Demographics of children entering foster care
Race and ethnicity3
Age distribution
Reasons for entering foster care4
Chart
In foster care
Number and rate of children in foster care
Number of children in foster care5
Rate of children in foster care per 1,000 children6
Other information on children in foster care
Table
Demographics of children in foster care
Race and ethnicity
Age distribution
Placement settings and stability for children in foster care
Current placement setting9
Number of placements by length of time in care
Exiting foster care
Number and rate of children exiting foster care
Number of children exiting foster care10
Rate of children exiting foster care per 1,000 children11
Time in foster care prior to exiting
Table
Demographics of children exiting foster care
Race and ethnicity
Age distribution
Outcomes of children exiting foster care
Chart
Source, unless specified otherwise:
The data used in this publication were obtained from the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect and have been used in accordance with its Terms of Use Agreement license. The data represent the federal fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 reporting periods (October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018, October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019, October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020, October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021, respectively). Unless otherwise noted, for each calculation, children who were missing data on the relevant indicator were excluded from analyses. The Administration on Children, Youth and Families, the Children’s Bureau, the original dataset collection personnel or funding source, NDACAN, Cornell University and their agents or employees bear no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations presented here.
Datasets used include:
- Dataset #235, AFCARS Foster Care File FY2018, Version 3
- Dataset #239, AFCARS Foster Care File FY2019, Version 2
- Dataset #255, AFCARS Foster Care File FY2020
- Dataset #274, AFCARS Foster Care FY2021; Dataset #275, AFCARS Adoption FY2021
Notes
1All figures related to entering foster care include children from birth to age 17 who entered care during the FFY.
2All rates are calculated using general child population data from the U. S. Census Bureau from 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 which are publicly available on the U.S. Census Bureau website.
3If a child is determined to be of Hispanic origin, they are only counted as Hispanic and are not included in any other racial/ethnic categories. Data for the general child population under age 20 in 2021 are from the U. S. Census Bureau which are publicly available on the U.S. Census Bureau website.
4For children entering care in FFY 2021. Other entry reasons include drug or alcohol abuse by the child, child’s disability, relinquishment, and parental death. Total may exceed 100 percent because children could have more than one entry reason.
5All figures related to children currently in care include children from birth to age 20 in foster care on the last day of the FFY.
6All rates are calculated using general child population data (birth to age 20) from the U. S. Census Bureau from 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 which are publicly available on the U.S. Census Bureau website.
7Average number of times children were removed from the home, including the most recent removal.
8Length of stay in care is calculated based on the current removal episode.
9Current placement setting as of September 30, 2021. Other placement types include pre-adoptive home, runaway, supervised independent living, and trial home visit.
10All figures related to exits from care include children from birth to age 20 exiting care during the FFY.
11All rates are calculated using general child population data (birth to age 20) from the U. S. Census Bureau from 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 which are publicly available on the U.S. Census Bureau website.
12Includes children birth to age 17 that entered foster care in FFY 2021 and exited in less than 30 days.
Kinship Caregiving
State
Relatives and other kin are invaluable sources of support and connection for children. Kinship caregiving exists for children both inside and outside of the child welfare system. Relatives may offer to care for a child to keep them out of foster care or may serve as a placement for a child currently in the child welfare system—either as a kinship or formal foster care placement. Relatives who care for children in foster care may have the option to enter into guardianships, which are formal legal relationships that allow the child welfare case to close while allowing the birth parents to retain parental rights. In some states, such guardians receive a subsidy for the care of the child.
Hover your cursor over words with underlines to see their definitions. In line charts, hover over the dots that appear along the lines to see values for that year. For lollipop graphs (i.e., dots on the right side of horizontal lines), hovering over the dot reveals the number of children associated with the percentage. “NA” appearing indicates that data was not available.
Current foster care placement with relatives
Number and percentage of children in foster care placed with relatives
Number of children in foster care placed with relatives1
Percent of children in foster care placed with relatives
Other information on children placed with relatives
Table
Demographics of children in foster care placed with relatives
Race and ethnicity3
Age distribution
Exiting foster care to guardianship or living with relatives
Number and percent of children exiting foster care to guardianship or living with relatives
Table
Demographics of children exiting foster care to guardianship or living with relatives
Race and ethnicity
Age distribution
Adopted from foster care by relatives
Number and percent of children adopted by relatives
Table
Demographics of children adopted by relatives
Race and ethnicity
Age distribution
Funding for guardianship
Table
Source, unless specified otherwise:
The data used in this publication were obtained from the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect and have been used in accordance with its Terms of Use Agreement license. The data represent the federal fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 reporting periods (October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018, October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019, October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020, October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021, respectively). Unless otherwise noted, for each calculation, children who were missing data on the relevant indicator were excluded from analyses. The Administration on Children, Youth and Families, the Children’s Bureau, the original dataset collection personnel or funding source, NDACAN, Cornell University and their agents or employees bear no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations presented here.
Datasets used include:
- Dataset #235, AFCARS Foster Care File FY2018, Version 3
- Dataset #239, AFCARS Foster Care File FY2019, Version 2
- Dataset #255, AFCARS Foster Care File FY2020
- Dataset #274, AFCARS Foster Care FY2021; Dataset #275, AFCARS Adoption FY2021
Notes
1All figures related to placement with relatives include children from birth to age 20 in foster care on September 30, 2021.
2American Community Survey. Households with grandparents living with own grandchildren under 18 years by responsibility for own grandchildren and presence of parent of grandchildren.
3If a child is determined to be of Hispanic origin, they are only counted as Hispanic and are not included in any other racial/ethnic categories. Data for the general child population (birth to age 20) in 2021 are from the U. S. Census Bureau which are publicly available on the U.S. Census Bureau website.
4All figures related to exit from foster care include children from birth to age 20 who exited foster care in FFY 2021.
5Length of stay in care is calculated based on the current removal episode.
6Subsidized guardianships provide financial assistance to caregivers who assume legal guardianship of a child in out-of-home care. Information as of June 2021 as reported by grandfamilies.org.
7HHS Title IV-E claims data from FFY 2021, available at: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/report/report/programs-expenditure-caseload-data-2021
Permanency
State
It is essential that children have positive, nurturing, and long-term connections with caring adults who support their healthy development—referred to as “permanency” in the child welfare field. When children are separated from their families by the foster care system, they can establish permanency through reunification, guardianship, or adoption. Conversely, children are at risk of experiencing negative outcomes when the child welfare system fails to provide permanency, underscoring the importance of providing comprehensive, culturally appropriate services to ensure that children are able to safely reunify with their families or find homes with relatives or adoptive families.
In line charts, hover over the dots that appear along the lines to see values for that year. For lollipop graphs (i.e., dots on the right side of horizontal lines), hovering over the dot reveals the number of children associated with the percentage. “NA” appearing indicates that data was not available.
Exiting foster care
Number of children exiting foster care1
Trend
Table
Demographics of children exiting foster care
Race and ethnicity2
Age distribution
Exiting foster care to permanency
Percent of children exiting foster care to permanency
Chart
Number of children exiting foster care to each form of permanency in 2021
Table
Demographics of children exiting foster care to permanency
Race and ethnicity
Age distribution
Placement stability among children exiting to permanency
Number of placements
Relationship of adoptive parent to child3
Length of stay in foster care
Table
Source, unless specified otherwise:
The data used in this publication were obtained from the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect and have been used in accordance with its Terms of Use Agreement license. The data represent the federal fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 reporting periods (October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018, October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019, October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020, October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021, respectively). Unless otherwise noted, for each calculation, children who were missing data on the relevant indicator were excluded from analyses. The Administration on Children, Youth and Families, the Children’s Bureau, the original dataset collection personnel or funding source, NDACAN, Cornell University and their agents or employees bear no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations presented here.
Datasets used include:
- Dataset #235, AFCARS Foster Care File FY2018, Version 3
- Dataset #239, AFCARS Foster Care File FY2019, Version 2
- Dataset #255, AFCARS Foster Care File FY2020
- Dataset #274, AFCARS Foster Care FY2021; Dataset #275, AFCARS Adoption FY2021
Notes
1All figures related to exits from care include children from birth to age 20 exiting care during the FFY.
2If a child is determined to be of Hispanic origin, they are only counted as Hispanic and are not included in any other racial/ethnic categories. Data for the general child population under age 20 in 2021 are from the U. S. Census Bureau which are publicly available on the U.S. Census Bureau website.
3The response categories for relationship of adoptive parents come from the AFCARS Adoption file and are not mutually exclusive. Therefore, percentages may not add up to 100%.
4Length of stay in care is calculated based on the most recent removal episode.
Older youth in care
State
As young people transition to adulthood, they face significant opportunities and challenges. This is particularly true for those who age out of the child welfare system. Older youth in care experience the child welfare system differently than other age groups: These differences may include reasons for entering care, the types and number of placements, the length of time they stay in care, and how they exit care. To help young people successfully transition to adulthood, it is essential that child welfare agencies provide them with supportive relationships, educational opportunities, career preparation, and other forms of support. These resources will equip them with the necessary tools to set and achieve their goals.
Hover your cursor over words with underlines to see their definitions. In line charts, hover over the dots that appear along the lines to see values for that year. For lollipop graphs (i.e., dots on the right side of horizontal lines), hovering over the dot reveals the number of children associated with the percentage. “NA” appearing indicates that data was not available.
Entering foster care1
Number and rate of young people entering foster care
Number of young people entering foster care
Trend over time
Rate of young people entering foster care per 1,0002
Reason for entering foster care3,4
Chart: Reasons for entering foster care
Number of foster care entries
Table
Demographics of young people entering foster care
Gender of young people entering care
Age distribution5
Race and ethnicity of young people entering foster care6
In foster care7
Number and rate of young people in foster care
Number of young people in foster care
Trend over time
Rate of young people in foster care per 1,000 in general population
Other information on children in foster care
Table
Race and ethnicity of young people in foster care
Chart
Placement setting and stability for young people in foster care
Current placement setting9
Number of placements by length of time in care
Table
Table
Exiting foster care10
Number and rate of children exiting foster care
Number of young people exiting foster care
Trend over time
Rate of young people exiting foster care per 1,000 in general population
Race and ethnicity of young people exiting foster care11
Chart
Outcomes of young people exiting foster care
Chart
Supporting young people in foster care
Table
Source, unless specified otherwise:
The data used in this publication were obtained from the National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect and have been used in accordance with its Terms of Use Agreement license. The data represent the federal fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 reporting periods (October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018, October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019, October 1, 2019 – September 30, 2020, October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2021, respectively). Unless otherwise noted, for each calculation, children who were missing data on the relevant indicator were excluded from analyses. The Administration on Children, Youth and Families, the Children’s Bureau, the original dataset collection personnel or funding source, NDACAN, Cornell University and their agents or employees bear no responsibility for the analyses or interpretations presented here.
Datasets used include:
- Dataset #235, AFCARS Foster Care File FY2018, Version 3
- Dataset #239, AFCARS Foster Care File FY2019, Version 2
- Dataset #255, AFCARS Foster Care File FY2020
- Dataset #274, AFCARS Foster Care FY2021; Dataset #275, AFCARS Adoption FY2021
Notes
1All figures related to entering foster care include young people who entered care during the FFY.
2All rates are calculated using general population data from the U. S. Census Bureau from 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 which are publicly available on the U.S. Census Bureau website.
3For young people entering care in FFY 2021. Other entry reasons include drug or alcohol abuse by the child, child’s disability, relinquishment, and parental death.
4We did not show counts for the additional breakdowns in this section because of small cell sizes.
5These percentages are based on total number of young people ages 13-17 entering foster care during the FFY.
6If a young person is determined to be of Hispanic origin, they are only counted as Hispanic and are not included in any other racial/ethnic categories. Data for the general population under age 20 in 2021 are from the U. S. Census Bureau which are publicly available on the U.S. Census Bureau website.
7All figures related to young people currently in care include those in foster care on the last day of the FFY.
8Average number of times young people were removed from the home, including the most recent removal.
9Current placement setting as of September 30, 2021. Other placement types include pre-adoptive home, runaway, supervised independent living, and trial home visit.
10All figures related to exits from care include those exiting care during the FFY.
11We did not show counts for the additional breakdowns in this section because of small cell sizes.
12Information current through March 2022. Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2022). Extension of foster care beyond age 18. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau. https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/systemwide/laws-policies/statutes/extensionfc/
13State expenditures on services and assistance for older youth and Chafee funds is from Child Welfare Financing SFY 2018: A survey of federal, state, and local expenditures, which is publicly available on the Child Trends website. Each state reported data based on its state fiscal year (SFY) 2018, which for most states is July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018. AL, DC, MI, NY, and TX reported a different SFY calendar. This is the most recent year for which data are available.
Download fact sheets from past fiscal years
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