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Result 1. All children grow up in safe, stable, and nurturing environments

Indicator 1.1. # of confirmed victims of child abuse or neglect per 1,000 children

Current Value

9.0

2022

Definition

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About the Data

This indicator includes all children age 0-17 and is limited to reported, investigated, and finalized cases of abuse and neglect. The proportion of reports investigated and finalized has dropped between 2018 and 2022. All quantitative data and narrative related to the data on this page was prepared by CI NOW for ReadyKidSA.

Starting with Fiscal Year 2016, DFPS is no longer producing a static Data Book on child abuse. Instead, they produce an interactive Data Book, updated regularly, that allows you to search and configure charts and graphs across many years of data. CPS has updated the child population ages 0-17 from the previously published databooks. The child population increased for 2010-2011, which decreased the previously reported child abuse rates that were calculated from confirmed victims and child population.  ReadyKidSA has calculated rates for 2010-2022 data based on the CPS dashboard.

Why Is This Important?

Child abuse and neglect can result in physical and psychological developmental delays. A neglectful mother may not feed her baby properly, which can slow brain development, or an emotionally abusive father may damage his child’s ability to form trusting relationships. Abused or neglected children can see the world as an unstable, frightening and dangerous place, which can undermine their sense of self-worth and their ability to cope with and adapt to their environments as they grow up. If unaddressed, maltreatment may contribute to later problems, such alcoholism/substance abuse, depression, domestic violence, multiple sexual partners and exposure to sexually transmitted disease, suicidal thoughts and attempts. (American Psychological Assoc., 2016)

For more information see: http:www.apa.org/pi/families/resources/understanding-child-abuse.aspx


Race/Ethnicity

Child Abuse and Neglect per 1,000 Children, by Race/Ethnicity
  2021/2022
   By Race/Ethnicity Confirmed Victims, 2022 Child Population, 2021 Rate per 1,000
   Anglo 591 94,204 6.3
   African American 479 36,342 13.2
   Asian 27 12,099 2.2
   Hispanic 3,688 347,801 10.6
   Other 181 NA NA

Source: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 2022. US Census Bureau; ACS 1-Year Estimates, Table B01001 B-I, 2021.

* Rates for Race/Ethnicity are calculated using ACS population statistics. This differs from the population estimates used by TDFPS.

 

Child Abuse and Neglect per 1,000 Children, by Age Group, 2021/2022

 

Under 5

5-9 YO

10-14 YO

15-17 YO

0-9 YO

10-17 YO

Confirmed Victims

2,446

1,230

954

341

3,676

1,295

Child Population*

131,736

141,669

147,233

87,607

273,405

234,840

Rate per 1,000 Children

18.6

8.7

6.5

3.9

13.4

5.5

Source: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 2022. US Census Bureau; ACS 1-Year Estimates, Table B01001, 2021.

* Rates for age are calculated using ACS population statistics. This differs from the population estimates used by TDFPS.

Geographic Distribution

Story Behind the Curve

What factors are pushing up on the data?
  • Delay in assessments by DFPS
  • Under reported “taboo”
  • Households stressors
    • Financial
    • Lack of childcare
    • Substance use/Mental health
    • Domestic violence
    • Cycle of trauma
    • Housing Insecurity
  • Lack of cultural competency provider bias
    • Cultural - Hispanics/African-Americans
  • Parenting knowledge about child development
  • Delays in implementation of SVS due to various factors including staff turnover
What factors are pushing down on the data?
  • Home visitation programs
  • Intervention and prevention
  • Connecting to resource
  • increased awareness and messaging
  • Provider bias
    • Pediatricians, teachers, police, reporters, etc.
  • Parenting knowledge bout child development
  • Normalizing behavior & destigmatizing mental health with a focus on cultural diversity lens

Partners

  • Schools
  • Law enforcement
  • American Indians in Texas
  • Any Baby Can
  • AVANCE
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Catholic Charities
  • Center for Healthcare Services
  • Centro Med
  • Child Advocates of San Antonio
  • Children’s Hospital
  • Child Safe
  • Children’s Shelter
  • Churches
  • Clarity
  • CrisisECI
  • Depelchin
  • DFPS Rape
  • Elected officials
    • De La Hood, Montamayor, Sakai, Uresti
  • Empower House
  • Endeavors
  • Family Service Association
  • Family Violence Prevention
  • Food Bank Metro Health
  • Good Samaritan
  • KLRN
  • Municipal Court
  • Parks & R3ec
  • Respite
  • Roy Maas Youth Alternatives
  • SAPD
  • San Antonio Housing Authority
  • St. PJ’s Children’s Home
  • 7th Generation Doulas

What Works

Evidence-Based Practices

  • Parents as Teachers
  • Nurturing Curriculum
  • Nurse Family Partnership
  • Stewards of Children
  • ACES
  • Cure Violence
  • Trust-based relational intervention program or service
  • Early Head Start
  • HIPPY

Promising Practices

  • School staff training
  • Media Campaing
  • Mareketing
  • Education & Awareness for community & professionals

No Cost Low Cost Solutions

  • Period of Purple Crying (Shaken Baby)
  • 2-1-1
  • Sleepskids SIIDS/SUDS

Outside the Box Thinking

  • Peer to Peer 3rd Party Mentorship
  • Increased school district involvement for prevention messaging
  • child focused
  • ReadyKidSA/Blue Ribbon Taskforce hotline 2-1-1 on steroids
  • Community organizers – door to door
  • Education for DFPRS workers and service providers

Solutions and Strategies

Direct Service

  • Better inform parents and expectant parents about child development, conduct parenting classes at schools, Head Start, Pre-K, etc. (Maybe at the hospitals post delivery), and provide information at all typical access points
  • Because the issues are intertwined and pervasive, expand mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence services to families experiencing child abuse or child neglect

Policy

  • Review existing Policy on the stigma or negative image associated with parenting classes. Exercise caution about the stigma associated with child abuse vs being a better parent
  • Conduct a Gap analysis on the need vs. availability for mental health and substance abuse programs

Other

  • Utilize faith-based networks and systems serving youth to educate everyone about prevention & awareness
  • Launch a mobile app that puts more information into the hands of residents/parents
  • Conduct home-based respite care

Clear Impact Suite is an easy-to-use, web-based software platform that helps your staff collaborate with external stakeholders and community partners by utilizing the combination of data collection, performance reporting, and program planning.

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