Geospatial variation of CPS reports involving school-aged children by reporter type

Child protective services (CPS) rely on referrals of child maltreatment to address abuse and neglect. CPS referral rates vary geographically in the type of maltreatment reported and community characteristics.

This study examined the relationship between CPS referral rates and community characteristics, based on reporter type and geography. We investigated (a) the relationship between CPS referral rates and community-level characteristics, including how these relationships vary by reporter type; and (b) the relationships between community-level characteristics and CPS referral rates across geographic areas.

The study used statewide data from California on CPS referrals for children aged 5 years or older from 2018 to 2022.

Referrals were geocoded to census tracts based on the family's address. Regression models were run for each reporter type, using referral rate as the outcome and community-level social determinants of health indicators from the Healthy Places Index (economic, education, health insurance, clean environment, housing, neighborhood conditions, social, transportation, racial composition, and urbanicity). Geographically weighted regression was used to examine spatial heterogeneity.

Referral rates had different relationships with community-level characteristics by reporter type. Spatial heterogeneity was identified by community characteristics and reporter type. Variations occurred in magnitude, direction, and statistical significance.

CPS referral rates varied by community characteristics depending on the referral source and geographic area. These findings suggest that prevention and intervention programs may not be universally effective across communities and regions, highlighting the importance of considering spatial variability when developing and providing such services.