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
  • 68% of the children killed as a result of abuse are younger than 3 years old
  • Children ages 0-3 are the most likely to experience abuse
  • 5 children need out-of-home placement each day in San Diego County due to abuse and neglect
  • San Diego County has a child abuse rate of 5 per 1,000, higher than state averages

What You Should Know About Foster Youth…

  • At least 22% of foster youth in California experience 4 or more placements
  • 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, 35% of foster youth are separated from 1 or more 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
  • San Diego County’s Black children population is 5%, of that, 18% are in foster care

Foster Youth and Education

  • Foster youth who experience more placements are nearly 15% less likely to complete high school when compared to their peers
  • Only 71% will receive a high school diploma by age 19
  • While 93% of foster youth state they want to attend college, just 4% of former foster youth obtain a bachelor’s degree by 26

Statistics After Leaving Foster Care

  • Approximately 100 EFC foster youth will age out 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
  • 47% of youth leaving foster care are unemployed

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