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Child Abuse and Neglect Cost Nation over $100 Billion Per Year; Most Federal Child Welfare Funds Unavailable for Prevention Services and Programs WASHINGTON, DC—January 29, 2008—An economic impact analysis released today estimates the costs of child abuse and neglect to society were nearly $104 billion last year, and a companion report highlights the unavailability of federal child welfare funding for programs and services shown to be effective at reducing incidences of child abuse and neglect. Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States, by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA) and Time for Reform: Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect, by Kids Are Waiting (KAW), a project of The Pew Charitable Trusts, show that while the economic costs associated with child abuse and neglect rose to a staggering $103.8 billion in 2007, merely ten percent of federal money dedicated for child welfare, approximately $741.9 million, can currently be used to prevent child abuse and neglect from occurring by strengthening families. The PCAA report documents pervasive and long-lasting effects of child abuse on children, their families, and society as a whole. The $103.8 billion cost of child abuse and neglect includes more than $33 billion in direct costs for foster care services, hospitalization, mental health treatment, and law enforcement. Indirect costs of over $70 billion include loss of productivity, as well as expenditures related to chronic health problems, special education, and the criminal justice system. In New York State more than $2.5 billion is spent annually to treat victims and prosecute abusers, including $450 million for foster care, $110 million for special education services for abused children, $85 million for juvenile delinquency programs, $23 million for hospitalization for child injuries. “Prevention of child abuse and neglect makes sense—and makes ‘cents,’ too,” said PCAA President & CEO Jim Hmurovich. “The data in these reports show that a greater focus on prevention will decrease both the short and long-term costs to society. But it is impossible to calculate the pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life that victims of violence against children experience throughout their lifetime.” The KAW report finds that the current federal child welfare financing structure does not adequately support services and supports that could help keep more children safely with their families. The report shows that the majority of dedicated federal funding for child welfare is currently reserved for placing and maintaining children in foster care and cannot be used for prevention or reunification services or programs. States may access dollars under Title IV-E, the principal source of federal child welfare funding, only after children have been removed from their home and enter foster care. Of the $7.2 billion federal funds dedicated for child welfare in 2007, approximately 90 percent supported children in foster care placements ($4.5 billion) and children adopted from foster care ($2.0 billion). States can use about 10 percent of federal dedicated child welfare funds flexibly for family services and supports, including prevention or reunification services. Research over the past decade has shown that programs that provide at-risk families with in-home parenting education and family support services are effective at preventing child abuse and saving money. Healthy Families New York, a home visiting program in 39 communities across New York State, has made a significant difference in getting thousands of children and their families off to a good start. New York State spends less than $30 million to prevent child abuse through home visiting, providing home visiting services to only ten percent of the children who need them. “Understanding the tremendous imbalance between what we invest on the front end to prevent abuse and neglect before it happens and what we spend as a consequence after it occurs is critical for our policymakers,” says Christine Deyss, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse New York. “Until we recognize the value of prevention and invest adequately in prevention programs, child abuse and neglect will continue to devastate our communities.” For more information, contact Jennifer Matrazzo at 518-445-1273 |
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