TCC Report Card 2017 - Healthy Family & Social Relationships, Child Abuse & Neglect

GOAL: All children in Calhoun County will live in an environment free of abuse and neglect

RATIONALE FOR CHOOSING INDICATOR: The prevalence of youth placed into foster care due to neglect and abuse is an indicator of unhealthy and unsafe family environments. Successful child abuse and neglect interventions are key to reducing both initial and repeat out-of-home placements for children.

The rate of children in investigated families in Calhoun County has increased steadily since 2011. The rate of confirmed victims of abuse and/or neglect remained relatively stable across both the state and the county from 2011 through 2014, with slight increases seen at both levels in 2015. The rate of both children in investigated families and the rate of confirmed victims of abuse and/or neglect have been consistently higher in Calhoun County than in Michigan. In 2015, there were 555 children ages 0 to 8, and 837 ages 0 to 17, who were confirmed victims of child abuse and/or neglect in Calhoun County.