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Recognize the Warning Signs

• Nervousness around adults
• Aggression toward adults or other children
• Sudden, dramatic changes in personality or activities
• Frequent or unexplained bruises or injuries
• Low self-esteem

If you see these signs in any children you know, offer your help.

 

Department Statistics

Department of Children’s Services Year to Date

Update as of 7/10/2006

Referral Information  

 

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

Referrals Received

25,887

26,519

27,673

30,392

31,233

15,940

Unique Children Involved

36,736

36,791

37,986

39,684

40,173

22,372

Total Children Involved ** this is a duplicate count of children which includes children who had multiple referrals during the reporting period.

51,829

51,713

53,599

57,441

58,390

29,584

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Referrals Received Per Month

2157

2210

2306

2533

2603

2657

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abuse Type Reported

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sexual Abuse

9%

10%

9%

9%

9%

9%

Physical Abuse

18%

20%

17%

18%

18%

17%

Severe Neglect

4%

4%

3%

2%

3%

3%

General Neglect

43%

43%

44%

42%

42%

40%

Emotional Abuse

8%

3%

2%

4%

4%

4%

Caretaker Absence/Incapacity

8%

6%

5%

6%

6%

5%

Exploitation

<1%

<1%

<1%

<1%

<1%

<1%

At Risk/Substantial Risk

11%

11%

15%

15%

13%

13%

Not Available(referral still open)

 

 

 

4%

5%

10%

The above figures show a steady annual increase in the number of referrals received by DCS.  There was a 2% increase in the number of referrals received YTD 2006 over 2005.  There has been a 25% increase in the number of referrals received since 2000.

Demographics – Children involved in referrals are almost evenly split by sex. - 51% female and 49% male. This ratio has remained constant over the years. The percentage of children age 8 and younger YDT in 2006 was 48%. The age breakout for children involved in referrals has shown only slight change from 2005 to YTD 2006.  The only difference between 2005 and YTD 2006 was for children aged 12-18, increasing from 32% to 35%.  For YTD 2006 48% of children referred were age 8 or younger, 17% were age 9 – 11, and 35% were are 12 – 18.

Ethnic Breakdown

 

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004 2005

2006

White

38%

36%

35%

32%

31% 30%

32%

Black

17%

17%

16%

16%

16% 16%

18%

Hispanic

33%

34%

34%

33%

34% 36%

42%

Asian/Pacific Islander

1%

1%

1%

1%

1% 1%

1%

Native American

<1%

<1%

<1%

<1%

<1% <1%

<1%

Not Available

10%

13%

15%

17%

17% 17%

6%

Petition Information

Original Petitions 2006 YTD

Filing Rate/In Person Response Referrals

Filing Rate/All Referrals

729

4%

3%


WIC Section

# Original Petitions Filed

% of Total

A – Physical Abuse

65

12%

B – General Neglect

495

68%

C – Emotional Abuse

2

<1%

D – Sexual Abuse

83

11%>

E – Severe Abuse Age 5 or under 5 or under

11

1%

F – Death of Sibling

1

<1%

G – Absent Parent

25

3%

H – Freed for Adoption 1 yr

0

0%

I – Cruelty

3

<1%

J – Sibling Abused or Neglected

24

3%>

Placement Information

 

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006ytd

Court Specified

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

Foster Family Home

13%

13%

10%

9%

8%

8%

FFA Certified Home

22%

24%

29%

28%

30%

31%

Group Home

7%

7%

9%

9%

8%

8%

Guardian Home

14%

14%

15%

17%

17%

18%

Non-Foster Care ** these are acute care hospital placements

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

Relative

42%

39%

33%

35%

34%

33%

Small Family Home

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

The decline in the number of children placed in county-licensed foster family homes has continued – down 5% since 2001. The increase in the number of children placed in Foster Family Agency Certified Homes has continued and has shown a significant increase of 11% since 2001.  In addition there has been a 9% decline in relative placements since 2001.

Group Home placements have declined to 8% for the year - 1% less than in 2004 and 2003.  There has been a 1% increase in the number of group home placements since 2000.

Out of County Placements

Court Specified

12

1%

FFA Certified Home

341

35%

Foster Home

20

2%

Group Home

206

21%

Guardian Home

16

2%

Relative Home

359

37%

Small Family Home

13

1%

                          Total

969

 

Out of State Placements 

Court Specified