Foster America, a national child welfare organization, will use a three-year, $4.5 million grant from the Endowment and other partners to test a new, prevention-based approach to keeping children safe from maltreatment in South Carolina.
Nationally, about 7 million children are reported as potential victims of abuse or neglect each year, but only 20 percent of those reports reflect concerns about the child’s safety. In South Carolina, for instance, tens of thousands of families reported for child maltreatment each year are screened out of the child protective system due to unsubstantiated charges or other reasons. These families receive no additional support because the system is designed to address immediate safety concerns, not broader problems such as food or housing insecurities. Over time, experts say, such issues can intensify until families are re-reported for abuse or other safety concerns.
Through the new grant, Foster America, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Social Services, will build a new pathway of preventative resources for such families in South Carolina. Screened-out families will gain access to a resource hub that can assess their needs and make referrals for support. Navigators will help connect families to resources, and cash assistance and other supports will be available to fill gaps. Over time, advocates hope to see increased community and family engagement, as well as lower rates of investigations and child removals from families.