Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management

Child abuse and neglect are costly public health problems that can lead to morbidity and mortality in childhood and increased risk for health problems into adulthood. Data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) demonstrate that several states experienced considerable increases in rates of child neglect during the Great Recession while others experienced declines. We examine whether increases in child neglect in some states were partly induced by changes in economic and social safety net policies at the state level during this period. We examine whether changes in access to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits at the state levels are associated with changes in multiple measures of child neglect from the NCANDS and the Adoption and Foster Care Reporting System using difference-in-differences models. Preliminary estimates indicate that reductions in TANF caseloads are associated with substantial increases in child abuse and neglect.