Before COVID-19, children's likelihood of coming in contact with the US child welfare system had already decreased

A new study published in Pediatrics has found that U.S. children's likelihood of coming into contact with the country's child welfare system decreased before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, continuing into 2023. Co-authored by researchers from Rutgers University–Newark, Duke University, and Wellesley College, the study examined trends from 2016 to 2023.

The researchers discovered that children's cumulative chances of being investigated for maltreatment, confirmed as victims, placed in foster care, and having parental rights terminated all declined during this period. The most significant reductions occurred between 2019 and 2020.

However, the study also highlighted persistent racial and ethnic disparities. American Indian/Alaska Native and Black children faced the highest risks of child welfare system involvement, while Asian children had the lowest risks. As of 2023, these disparities remained a concerning issue.

Child welfare involvement and maltreatment are linked to adverse outcomes across various stages of life, making the decline in contact with the system an important finding. The authors note that this is the first systematic estimate of child protective services at the start and end of the pandemic, a time of unprecedented policy responses including rental assistance, expanded tax credits, and economic support for families.

These factors likely contributed to the reduction in hardship and disadvantage that could place children at greater risk of entering the child welfare system. The study updates earlier estimates using the most recent data available, extending its scope to 2023.