Costs of Abuse and Neglect Are High

Two reports issued January 29 examine the economic impact of child abuse. In "Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States," researchers concluded that abuse and neglect cost society nearly $104 billion last year, yet only about 10 percent of the federal child welfare budget (or $741.9 million) can be used to support families and prevent child welfare involvement. The second report, "Investing in Prevention: Keeping Children Safe at Home," identifies series of programs around the country that are successfully preventing abuse and neglect and keeping children out of foster care, or that are safely reunifying children with their families. Learn more from Kids Are Waiting.

NACAC believes that federal and state governments need to do more to invest in preventing child and abuse and neglect. Not only is it the right thing to protect children, but it also would money in the long term.