Publications
The Children's Bureau's information service, Child Welfare Information Gateway, offers a number of publications related to preventing child abuse, protecting children from the risk of abuse, and promoting healthy families. Listed below are the latest bulletins for professionals, factsheets for families, and issue briefs that cover research and evidence-based or evidence-informed practices for preventing maltreatment. For a full list of titles, visit Information Gateway's publication catalog and browse by topic.
About CAPTA: A Legislative History
| Series Title | Factsheets |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 612KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2019 |
Summarizes the legislative history and purpose of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), the key Federal legislation addressing child abuse and neglect. CAPTA was originally enacted in P.L. 93-247 and was most recently amended on January 7, 2019, by the Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-424).
Acts of Omission: An Overview of Child Neglect
| Series Title | Bulletins for Professionals |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 489KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2018 |
Addresses the scope of the problem of child neglect as well as its consequences, reviews definitions and strategies for assessing neglect, presents lessons learned about prevention and intervention, and suggests sources of training and informational support. Strategies for addressing neglect, beginning with prevention, are included.
Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities 2017: Statistics and Interventions
| Series Title | Numbers and Trends |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 337KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2019 |
Presents statistics and information on child fatalities due to abuse and neglect in the United States during Federal fiscal year (FFY) 2017 as compiled and reported in Child Maltreatment 2017. This summary of national and State data includes information on fatalities due to abuse and neglect, child and perpetrator characteristics, and communities' responses to child fatalities.
Child Maltreatment 2017: Summary of Key Findings
| Series Title | Numbers and Trends |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 208KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2019 |
Presents summarized information from Child Maltreatment 2017, a report based on data submissions by State child protective services agencies for Federal fiscal year 2017. Statistics include the number of allegations of mistreatment, the number and outcomes of investigations, characteristics of victims and perpetrators, fatalities, and services.
The Risk and Prevention of Maltreatment of Children with Disabilities
| Series Title | Bulletins for Professionals |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 404KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2018 |
Examines the statistics and research related to maltreatment of children with disabilities, risk factors, and strategies for prevention. Issues encountered when assessing a child with a disability for maltreatment are explored; and information about promising prevention, collaboration, and training approaches are outlined.
Rural Child Welfare Practice
| Series Title | Issue Briefs |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 311KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2018 |
Highlights the importance of understanding the concerns and needs of children and families in rural communities, their strengths and resources, and the cultural sensitivity required of child welfare professionals as they work to achieve safety, permanency, and well-being for rural children.
What is Child Welfare? A Guide for Law Enforcement
| Series Title | Factsheets |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 279KB) Order (Free) |
| Year Published | 2018 |
Helps law enforcement agents understand the work of child welfare professionals and how a mutually beneficial relationship is in the best interest of children, families, and communities. Discusses the importance of information-sharing and cross-training and Includes a list of helpful resources.