Facts About Abused/Neglected Children

Clark County Statistics: Today, more than 3,500 children are in out-of-home placements because they are not safe at home.The Department of Family Services (DFS) Statistical Report of January 2009 to April 2009 reflect the following statistics:

There were 3,197 referrals received by the Department of Family Services hotline.

Of the 3,197 referrals, 2,300 child protection services investigations were conducted.

Approximately 2,500 children were placed in out of home placements, to include foster homes, relative placements, treatment foster homes, residential homes and other out of home placements.

Of the 1,286 children received at the MGM Reception Center at Child Haven, 863 were released within 24 hours to a parent, relative, fictive kin or placed directly into a foster home.

Fewer children are remaining at Child Haven for extended periods of time. In April 2009, the average daily population at Child Haven was 26 children, with an average stay of 8.3 days.

DFS has a goal of having enough foster homes, so that children and families can be properly matched, to minimize placement moves and add stability for children.

The need for foster families who are willing and able to care for children with emotional and behavioral challenges is high.

The goal of the Department of Family Services is to have no more than two unrelated children, under the age of six, in the same foster home.Studies have shown that for healthy bonding and attachment, younger children do better in a family foster home, with one caregiver, versus living in a shelter type facility, with multiple staff.

National CASA Statistics 2007

Children Need Protection and Care More Than Ever

> Each week child protective services (CPS) agencies in the United States collectively receive approximately 60,000 referrals alleging that children have been abused or neglected. As referrals may involve more than one child, the total 3.2 million referrals concerned approximately 5.8 million children.

> In 2007 an estimated 1,760 children died from abuse or neglect.

> On September 30, 2006, there were 510,000 children in foster care. They spent a median of 15.5 months in foster care.

Race/ethnicity breakdown of children in foster care September 30, 2006

> Of the children in foster care on September 30, 2006, 129,000 were waiting to be adopted. Only 51,000 children were adopted from the public foster care system in 2006.

> In 2008, CASA/GAL programs had 68,842 volunteers donate over 5.8 million hours to making a lifelong difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. If compensated to perform such a role, the total would be over $250 million.  In 2008, approximately 9,125 new volunteers were trained to help meet the need.

> By helping to reduce time spent unnecessarily in foster care, CASA volunteers can reduce child welfare costs. In September 2006, an estimated 510,000 children were in foster care at an estimated cost to Americans of $33 billion. If the average length of stay in foster care (18 months) were shortened for CASA children by just one month, it would realize a savings of approximately $2.75 billion.