Peer-reviewed article
Responding holistically: Does total U.S. state safety net support generosity prevent child maltreatment?
Hong YS, Berger LM, Pac J, Rhodes AP ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examines whether generous state safety net programs (like cash assistance, food support, and housing help) reduce child maltreatment and involvement with child protective services. Using data from 2004-2019 across US states, researchers found that a $1000 annual increase in total state safety net support was associated with a 4% decline in child protective services investigations. The association held across different age groups, types of abuse, and racial-ethnic groups, suggesting that strengthening families' economic support may help prevent child maltreatment.
Key points
- A $1000 annual increase in total expected state safety net support was associated with a 4% decline in CPS investigations for children of all ages and those under age 5
- The association was similar for both neglect and physical abuse investigations
- Estimates were comparable across racial-ethnic groups, with slightly larger magnitudes for Black non-Hispanic children under age five
- The study examined nine major safety net policies holistically, accounting for both their generosity and inclusivity across states
- Cross-state differences in policy generosity and inclusivity substantially varied
Limitations
This is a population-level study examining associations between state policies and CPS investigation rates, so it cannot establish causation or explain the mechanisms through which safety net support may prevent maltreatment. The study is limited to the 2004-2019 period in the US and may not reflect the effects of more recent policy changes.
Abstract
Background Prior studies show that policies strengthening families' economic well-being may help reduce child maltreatment and child protective services (CPS) involvement. However, limited research has examined multiple programs holistically or accounted for substantial cross-state differences in both policy generosity and inclusivity. Objective This study examines the association between total state safety net support and CPS investigation rates at the (state-year) population level, by considering nine major safety net policies that vary in generosity and inclusion across states and over time. Participants and setting We draw administrative data from the 2004-2019 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System child file. We link this data to unique state-year data that captures both the inclusivity and generosity of each safety net program. Methods We construct a "total expected state safety net support" measure that captures the average expected benefit package for a potentially needy family in each state and year. We estimate two-way state and year fixed-effects models. Results We find that a $1000 annual increase in total expected state safety net support is associated with a 4% decline in state-year CPS investigations among children of all ages and those under age 5, with similar associations for neglect and physical abuse investigations. Estimates were comparable across racial-ethnic groups, although estimated magnitudes were slightly larger for Black non-Hispanic children under age five. Conclusions Our findings underscore the importance of measuring state safety net support holistically when examining its impact on CPS involvement, including accounting for both the generosity and inclusivity of multiple programs. Implications for policy are discussed.