The Oklahoma Policy Institute has looked at the trend in the annual number of confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in Oklahoma and reports that "the news is decidedly encouraging."
Why are the numbers down? The OPI analysis suggests a combination of policies, practices, and economic circumstances including new prevention programs like Children First, Healthy Start and Safe Care; DHS Child Protective Services' new emphasis on assessments rather than investigations; and Oklahoma's recent strong economy.
The downward trend is NOT due - they argue - to a decline in the effort to report and investigate suspected abuse since reported cases of abuse and neglect that have been investigated have remained steady in recent years.
I appreciate OPI producing this helpful brief. You can read their report here.
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