Number of Substantiated Abuse/Neglect Reports Continues to DECLINE
Foster care placement is often the final act to protect children from abuse and neglect after attempts have been made to stabilize their families. To lessen the trauma associated with being removed from their parents, the goal is to place children with people who are familiar to them, such as relatives, extended family members, or their siblings, whenever possible. These placements promote emotional well-being as well as maintaining family connections, and the cultural and familial traditions to which the children are accustomed.[1] This indicator tracks confirmed child abuse and neglect reports (substantiated allegations), the number of children entering foster care, and the rate of children placed with siblings while in foster care.
TREND
Between 2023 and 2024, there was a 19% decrease in the number of substantiated child abuse and neglect allegations, from 4,327 to 3,524 reports, respectively. In 2024, there were 1,720 children who entered foster care—17% less than in 2023 when 2,060 children entered foster care.
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTS DECLINE
Substantiated Allegations and Foster Care Entries in San Bernardino County, 2015-2024
In San Bernardino County, 76.7% of the children in foster care were placed with some or all of their siblings and 53.7% of the children were placed with all siblings. These are the lowest rates among neighboring counties and the state.
FEWER CHILDREN IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ARE PLACED WITH SIBLINGS
County Comparison of Foster Youth Placed with Some or All Siblings, January 2025
RACE/ETHNICITY DETAIL
Sixty-one percent of children with a substantiated child maltreatment allegation are identified as Latino, and another 17% identified as Black. In the accompanying chart, the distribution of San Bernardino County child population by race and ethnicity is provided for context.
MIRRORING POPULATION, LATINO CHILDREN MAKE UP MAJORITY OF SUBSTANTIATED ALLEGATIONS
Distribution of Substantiated Allegations and Child Population by Race/Ethnicity in San Bernardino County, 2024
SOCIOECONOMIC DETAIL
In 2024, the rate of substantiated allegations for children from birth through age five in San Bernardino County was 9.7 per 1,000 children. This was higher than California’s rate of 7.8 per 1,000 children in this age range. The rate of foster care entry was higher for San Bernardino County children from birth through age five (5.4 per 1,000 children 0-5) than children of all ages (3.1 per 1,000 children 0-17). In 2024, California’s rate for children birth through age five entering foster care was 3.3 per 1,000 children.
GEOGRAPHIC COMPARISON
In 2024, San Bernardino County had 6.4 substantiated child abuse and neglect allegations per 1,000 children, higher than the statewide average (5.4 per 1,000) but lower than all neighboring counties compared, except for San Diego County (3.4 per 1,000). The county’s rate of foster care entries (3.1 per 1,000 children) is higher than the statewide average (2.0 per 1,000) and all counties compared except Riverside County (3.2 per 1,000). When looking at the relationship between the rates of substantiated allegations and foster care placement, 49% of substantiated allegations in San Bernardino County resulted in foster care placement – higher than the state and all counties compared.
AMONG PEERS, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY HAS HIGHEST PROPORTION OF ALLEGATIONS RESULTING IN FOSTER CARE PLACEMENT
County Comparison of Substantiated Allegations and Foster Care Entries per 1,000 Children, 2024
[1] Epstein HR, “Kinship Care is Better for Children and Families,” American Bar Association, 1 July 2017, https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/child_law/resources/child_law_practiceonline/child_law_practice/vol-36/july-aug-2017/kinship-care-is-better-for-children-and-families/ (accessed April 6, 2025)