Child Welfare Spending Tops $20 Billion in 2000

January 20, 2003

Child Welfare Spending Tops $20 Billion in 2000

In state fiscal year 2000, states spent over $20 billion from federal, state, and local sources on child welfare services, which is 20% more than in 1998. Four states reported a decline of less than 10% in total spending while 13 states reported increases of more than 30%.  This is according to a study released by the Urban Institute on December 18, 2002, entitled "The Cost of Protecting Vulnerable Children III: What Factors Affect States' Fiscal Decisions?" 

The report explains that this increase may . . .