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.