Pennsylvania Child Protective Service Reports Up 2.6% Between 2021 & 2022

In 2022, Pennsylvania child protective services (CPS) reports of physical or sexual abuse or serious neglect totaled 39,093, about 2.6% higher (representing over 1,000 more reports) than the previous year. About 12.8% of CPS reports in 2022 were substantiated. General protective services (GPS) referrals related to family risk of entering the child welfare system were higher by 2.2% (3,500 reports), totaling 165,295 total reports. About 13% of GPS reports in 2022 were validated.

The two types of reports reflect public or mandated reporter concerns for children’s well-being. CPS reports are filed . . .