Child Maltreatment

Differential response (DR) is an increasingly common model for how child protective services agencies address reports of child maltreatment. Differential response systems seek to be less adversarial than traditional child protective services by separating incoming referrals into two (or more) tracks.

This ASPE Research Brief presents analyses of the 2011-2012 National Survey of Children's Health describing the characteristics, health and well-being of children who live with neither of their biological parents. The analysis compares children living with neither of their biological parents to children living with one or two biological parents.

Typically, one or two parents and a child–along with any siblings–comprise a family, and the parents’ interactions with the child are a primary driver of the child’s development. Yet nearly 4 percent of U.S. children (nearly 3 million) live in homes with no parent present.

Typically, one or two parents and a child – along with any siblings – comprise a family, and the parents’ interactions with the child are a primary driver of the child’s development. Yet nearly 4 percent of U.S. children (nearly 3 million) live in homes with no parent present.

  Recent Trends in Local Child Protective Services Practices July 2, 2009 Prepared for: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Prepared by: Westat, Inc. Task Order # HHSP233200700001T

Interim Report to the Congress on the Feasibility of a National Child Abuse Registry May 2009 By: Laura Radel Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation