Referrals to Child Welfare Agencies for Child Maltreatment Continue to Rise

“Recent Child Trends analyses of the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) show that the number of referrals made to child welfare agencies for child maltreatment continued to climb in 2023. Referrals include those that were “screened in” for investigation or for an alternative response by child protective services, as well as those “screened out” for no finding of maltreatment or unsubstantiated referrals.”