2010 Rhode Island Kids Count Factbook

Child Abuse and Neglect
DCYF Child Protective Services (CPS) Hotline Calls for
Reports of Abuse and/or Neglect, Investigations,*
and Indicated Investigations, Rhode Island, 2000-2009
TOTAL # % AND # OF REPORTS # OF
UNDUPLICATED CHILD WITH COMPLETED INDICATED
YEAR MALTREATMENT REPORTS INVESTIGATIONS INVESTIGATIONS
2000 13,580 56% (7,635) 2,234
2001 13,804 54% (7,479) 2,261
2002 14,545 50% (7,254) 2,209
Rhode Island Child Deaths Due to Child Abuse and/or Neglect**
YEAR NUMBER OF DEATHS YEAR NUMBER OF DEATHS
2000 3 2005 4
2001 5 2006 1
2002 1 2007 0
2003 4 2008 0
2004 3 2009 2
Total 2000-2004 16 Total 2005-2009 7
2003 13,651 50% (6,847) 2,126
active with DCYF). 10 2010 Rhode Island KIDS COUNT Factbook 103
Source: Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families, RICHIST, 2000-2009.
2004 13,341 52% (6,890) 2,095
**Based on Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families determination of death due
2005 13,144 55% (7,188) 2,260
to child abuse or neglect by a parent or caretaker.
2006 14,957 59% (8,841) 2,862
2007 13,542 54% (7,363) 2,396 ◆ Between 2000 and 2009, 23 children died as a result of injuries due to abuse by a
2008 12,204 51% (6,214) 1,913
parent or caretaker. In 2009, two children died as a result of child abuse and/or neglect,
2009 12,189 52% (6,362) 2,075
the first deaths since 2006. 11 During 2008, there were 31 children hospitalized with the
Source: Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families, RICHIST, 2000-2009.
diagnosis of child abuse or neglect, compared with 32 in 2007, 32 in 2006, 34 in 2005,
* One investigation can be generated by multiple hotline calls. Investigations can result in a finding and 22 in 2004. 12
of indicated, unfounded or unable to complete (as when essential party cannot be found).
◆ The percentage of unduplicated child maltreatment reports for which there were
Child Abuse and Neglect in Rhode Island Communities
completed investigations declined from 59% in 2006 to 52% in 2009. The number of ◆ Many parents at risk of child abuse and neglect lack essential parenting skills and are
unduplicated child maltreatment reports to the CPS Hotline was also lower in 2009 than at struggling with a combination of social and economic issues. These families benefit from
any point in the past decade. 6 In 2009, there were 2,075 indicated investigations based on access to community-based, comprehensive services that are able to respond flexibly to
child maltreatment investigations, 33% of all completed investigations. The percentage of their needs. 13 Helping families access income supports, medical care, high-quality child
completed investigations that were indicated has remained fairly stable over the past care, parent education and support, treatment for substance abuse and mental health
decade. 7 An indicated investigation is one in which there is a preponderance of evidence problems and offering evidence-based home visiting programs, such as the Nurse-Family
that child abuse and/or neglect occurred. 8
Partnership, to families at risk can prevent the occurrence and recurrence of child abuse
and neglect. 14,15,16,17
◆ Of the 12,189 maltreatment reports in 2009, 4,662 were classified as “information/
referrals” (formerly “early warnings”). 9 Information/referrals are reports made to the CPS ◆ In 2009, the six core cities had the highest rates of child victims of abuse and neglect
Hotline that contain a concern about the well-being of a child but do not meet the per 1,000 children out of all Rhode Island communities. Johnston (13.2) and Westerly
criteria for an investigation. Criteria for investigation include that the victim is a minor, (12.6) were the only other communities with child abuse and neglect rates higher than
the alleged perpetrator is a legal caretaker or is living in the home, there is reasonable that of the state as a whole (11.7). Child abuse and neglect rates in the core cities ranged
cause to believe that abuse or neglect circumstances exist, and there is a specific incident from a low of 14.1 per 1,000 children in Providence to a high of 26.6 per 1,000 children
or pattern of incidents suggesting that harm can be identified. When essential criteria for in Woonsocket. 18
investigation are not present, the report may lead to a referral to other services or to the
information being passed on to a DCYF caseworker (depending on whether the family is