STATE of the

CHILD
A look at the strengths and challenges of Pennsylvanias
child-welfare system and the safety of at-risk children

SPECIAL REPORT: STATE OF THE CHILD

Pennsylvanias child-welfare system is broken.

Despite a major overhaul of state child-welfare
laws in 2013-15, the people charged with overseeing
the safety of at-risk children say those children are
no safer now than they were before the changes.

2016: BY THE NUMBERS

$ 1.8
46 79 BILLION

child deaths in child near-deaths in spent on protecting

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Pennsylvania's kids

CHILD ABUSE REPORTS

percentage increase
ERIE 19% * between 2014 and 2016
MONROE
CRAWFORD CENTRE
60% 39%
27% LUZERNE
63%
65%
ALLEGHENY
BUCKS
DAUPHIN
49%
78%
CAMBRIA PHILADELPHIA
FAYETTE 20% 17%
28% YORK
34% DELAWARE
34%