Analysis of data and statistics can help identify trends, make comparisons, and provide empirical evidence to support the implementation of child welfare practices.

Find reports, databases, and other sources of statistical data on child abuse and neglect, foster care, adoption, and well-being.

Most current national data 

AFCARS Report #28
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau (2021)
Features data from fiscal year 2020 about the experiences of children in foster care, including the reasons for their entrance, time spent in care, and placement setting by fiscal year.

Child Maltreatment Report 2021
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau (2023)
Presents national data about child abuse and neglect known to child protective services agencies in the United States during fiscal year 2021. The report includes data on responses to reports of maltreatment, child victim and perpetrator demographics, and child fatality rates.

Child Welfare Outcomes Report Data
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau
Presents customizable visual representations of child welfare outcomes using the most recent national and State data available. Searches can be tailored based on ACF region, State, and year to answer specific questions about child welfare in the United States.

Data reports and archives

Data and Research
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau
Provides the Children's Bureau’s reporting and monitoring systems that analyze and report data on adoption, foster care, and child abuse and neglect.

Monitoring
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau
Presents data from State child welfare services through the Child and Family Services Reviews, title IV-E foster care eligibility reviews, the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System assessment reviews, and the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System assessment reviews.

National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect (NDACAN)
Cornell University
Provides researchers with child abuse and neglect datasets, documentation, and technical support from past data-collection efforts. NDACAN does not maintain statistics on child abuse and neglect or provide reports of research findings.

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