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

10.42021

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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 2020. 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 2010-2021 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
  2020/2021
   By Race/Ethnicity Confirmed Victims, 2021 Child Population, 2020* Rate per 1,000
   Anglo 715 97,093 7.4
   African American 583 38,390 15.2
   Asian 12 13,342 0.9
   Hispanic 4,104 345,464 11.9
   Other 224 NA NA

Source: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 2020. US Census Bureau; ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B01001 B-I, 2019

* 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, 2020/2021

 

Under 5

5-9 YO

10-14 YO

15-17 YO

0-9 YO

10-17 YO

Confirmed Victims

2,817

1,380

1,031

412

4,197

1,443

Child Population*

139,109

139,232

143,066

83,830

278,341

226,896

Rate per 1,000 Children

20.3

9.9

7.2

4.9

15.1

6.4

Source: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, 2020. US Census Bureau; ACS 5-Year Estimates, Table B01001, 2020

* 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
  • Turn over at DFPS
  • Under reported “taboo”
  • Households stressors
    • Financial
    • Lack of childcare
    • Substance use/Mental health
    • Domestic violence
    • Cycle of trauma
  • Lack of cultural competency provider bias
    • Cultural - Hispanics/African-Americans
  • Parenting knowledge about child development
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.
  • Decrease in teen births
  • Parenting knowledge bout child development
  • Efficient Disaggregated data
    • Better breakdown to meet needs of families
Partners
  • Family Service Association
  • Schools
  • Law enforcement
  • Any Baby Can
  • Avance
  • Catholic Charities
  • Center for Healthcare Services
  • Centro Med
  • Child Advocates of San Antonio
  • Children’s Hospital
  • Child Safe
  • Children’s Shelter
  • Churches
  • Clarity
  • DFPS Rape Crisis
  • ECI
  • Elected officials
    • De La Hood, Montamayor, Sakai, Uresti
  • Family Violence Prevention
  • Food Bank Metro Health
  • Municipal Court
  • Parks & R3ec
  • SAPD
  • San Antonio Housing Authority United Way
  • Voices for Children
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
Scorecard Result Container Indicator Measure Action Actual Value Target Value Tag S R I P PM A m/d/yy m/d/yyyy