What You Should Know About Child Abuse…

  • Child Abuse is the 3rd cause of death of American children under the age of 4
  • Every 10 seconds a child abuse report is placed
  • About 70,000 calls of suspected abuse come into San Diego’s Child Abuse Hotline each year
  • On average, 5 children die every day in the United States as a result of child abuse or neglect
  • 79% of the children killed as a result of abuse are younger than 4 years old
  • Children ages 0-3 are the most likely to experience abuse
  • 7% of all children entering the foster cares system are infants
  • 12 children need out-of-home placement each day in San Diego County due to abuse and neglect
  • 30% of abused and neglected children will later go on to abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse
  • Over 50% of child fatalities due to maltreatment are not recorded as such on the death certificate
  • San Diego County has a child abuse rate of 12.8 per 1,000, higher than state averages
  • The estimated annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the United States for 2008 is $124 billion

What You Should Know About Foster Youth…

  • At least 21% of foster youth in California experience 5 or more placements
  • 73% of foster youth in California spend 23 months in the foster care system
  • Studies have shown that an average of 61% of children entering the foster care system test positive for developmental delay – In sharp contrast, the general population averages 4 to 10%
  • In San Diego County, there are approximately 2,858 children in foster care and 1,571 of them have one or more siblings. Of the 1,571 that have a sibling, 736 are separated from one or more of their siblings
  • Many young children who enter the foster care system are further traumatized as they are placed in a different home than their brother or sister
  • State funding only partially covers the costs of basic care for foster kids

Foster Youth and Education

  • Foster youth who experience more placements are nearly 15% less likely to complete high school when compared to their peers
  • 24% of foster youth struggle with disabilities while in school
  • Across the United States, 52% of foster youth attend schools that rank in the lowest 30 percent
  • Only 71% will receive a high school diploma by age 19
  • Only 55% of former foster youth will attend college and of that, only 8% will graduate

Statistics After Leaving Foster Care

  • Approximately 200 EFC foster youth will emancipate from the foster care system each year in San Diego County, most with no support or plan in place to secure a healthy future
  • 1 in 3 former foster youth will be homeless during their first two years after exiting foster care
  • 60% of girls become pregnant by age 19 after leaving the foster care system
  • 40% of girls will have a second child by age 21
  • 47% of youth leaving foster care are unemployed
  • 33% receive public assistance

…this is why we do what we do — and this is why we need your help.