Child Welfare Agency Spending Increases 3% In Past Decade To $34.3 Billion In 2022

Spending by child welfare agencies increased 3% over a decade to a total of $34.3 billion during state fiscal year (SFY) 2022, according to a new report from research organization Child Trends, which focuses on children, youth, and families. The spending was for investigations of suspected cases of child abuse or neglect involving approximately 7.5 million children, and to provide services to approximately 570,000 children in foster care.

The report stated that the analysis focused on SFY 2022 because it is the most recent year for which complete data is available for federal, state, and local funding . . .