ANNAPOLIS – The number of Maryland cases of child abuse and neglect falls below the national average, a federal study released Tuesday shows.
Still, “We can always do more,” said Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich.
The report found that nationally, almost 900,000 children were neglected or abused in 2004, at a rate of 11.9 per 1,000 children. Maryland had about 15,000 victimized children, with a rate of 10.9 per 1,000.
“Our pledge, our goal is to bring these numbers down,” Ehrlich said at a news conference at the Annapolis Family Support Center. “One is too many.”
These findings come after a state legislative audit and 2004 federal Child and Family Services report lambasted the state system, criticizing staffing behaviors and hiring practices. Child welfare advocates also voiced concern about the deaths of children who were purportedly under the state?s care.
The state is working to improve its standing and recently hired 100 new caseworkers.
“Dollar-wise, we put our money where our mouth is,” Ehrlich said. “This is a true investment in our future.”
These actions were praised by Wade Horn, assistant secretary for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“To be able to hire 100 new caseworkers is really important,” Horn said, adding that the more visits children receive, the better their welfare.
Horn was on hand Tuesday to present the new federal report and recognize the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The report, which contains the most recent national data available, was compiled from individual state case data and collected through the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“The good news is that we’re seeing a decline in the estimate — the not-so-good news is that we still have 872,000 children that have been neglected. And that’s 872,000 too many,” Horn said.
Some other important aspects of neglect prevention include education and transportation, said Family Support Center Director Rachel Qualls. The center offers resources like parenting classes, child care and transportation to help parents care for their children.
One area that could use improvement is permanence — getting a child out of long-term foster care and into their original home or a permanent adopted one, according to Christopher McCabe, Maryland secretary of Human Resources.
“We need to do better,” McCabe said, adding, “We’re pleased with our progress.”
-30- CNS-4-4-03