State Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Policies Database Fact Sheets

State Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Policies Database Fact Sheets

Published: Dec 07, 2022
Publisher: Mathematica
Associated Project

State Child Abuse and Neglect Policies Database

Time frame: 2017-2027

Prepared for:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation

Clients
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Key Findings
  • States vary in how their laws and policies define child abuse and neglect regarding the specific types of maltreatment included in the definition and in what exceptions should not be considered child maltreatment.
  • At the time a report of child abuse or neglect is made, all states request identifying information and information about the suspected maltreatment, but states vary in what other information is requested.
  • To screen-in a report, the majority of states require information on the type and severity of suspected child maltreatment but vary in what other information is required and in who conducts screening of reports.
  • When conducting investigations, all states require risk or safety assessments and interviews with the victim and caregiver, but states vary in what other activities are required and in who investigates reports.
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These four fact sheets use data from the State Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Policies Database that describe key aspects of states’ definitions of child maltreatment and policies for defining, reporting, screening, and investigating child abuse and neglect. The fact sheets should be of interest to individuals who work in child welfare agencies and practitioners, researchers, service providers, program administrators, program evaluators, and funders.

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