Acknowledgments
The maltreatment of our Nation's children continues to be a problem of great concern to all Americans. The Administration on Children, Youth and Families is committed to providing the most reliable and complete information possible to assist policy makers, child welfare practitioners, and concerned citizens in their efforts to address this problem. As part of this assistance, the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, through a Federal-State partnership, developed the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS). This is the sixth consecutive year that findings have been reported from the NCANDS, a voluntary, national data collection and analysis program.
This document, Child Maltreatment 1995: Reports From the States to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, is based on child maltreatment data that are aggregated and submitted by the States. These data represent the most complete national information about child maltreatment known to the State child protective services agencies. It is hoped that this information will help in the development of policies, programs, and services aimed at the protection of our most vulnerable citizens, our children.
The work of many people has made this document possible. Specifically, the efforts of State child protective services agencies and their staffs in providing data to the NCANDS have been indispensable. The members of the State Advisory Group have been a source of sound advice and continuing support for the NCANDS. The contributions of all involved are gratefully acknowledged.
James A. Harrell
Acting Commissioner
Administration on Children, Youth and Families
