Number of Iowa Child Welfare Assessments Where Abuse Was Founded

This chart displays the number of child welfare assessments conducted by the Department of Human Services where abuse was "Founded". “Founded” means abuse occurred and results in perpetrator placement on the child abuse registry. On January 1, 2014, the department began using the Differential Response System, which allows for a family assessment in additional to a traditional child abuse investigation for allegations of abuse and neglect. Differential Response Systems are more family-friendly, flexible, and better able to engage and empower families in making changes to improve child well-being while still keeping children safe.