What am I looking at?

The data in these reports and visualizations represents the case flow of all child abuse cases managed by the Virginia Department of Social Services (the Department) and local departments (Child Protective Services offices).

The data displayed here is from the 2013 fiscal year (July 1st 2012 - June 30th 2013) onwards. For data prior to the 2013 fiscal year, please view the historical reports page.

The primary source of the data is the Virginia Child Protective Services (CPS) case management system. The data is related to child abuse cases that have been fielded and managed by the Department and its local departments across the Commonwealth.

The data was compiled from reports generated and provided to the Department by CPS offices for the Virginia Localities/FIPs they serve. It is reported as part of the Virginia Child Protection Accountability System (§ 63.2-1530).

A brief synopsis of the typical case flow

When there is a report of abuse or neglect of a child to a Child Protective Services office, a social worker is on hand to screen the report and determine whether or not it is valid (see § 63.2-1508). Valid report or complaint).

If a report is determined to be valid, it is then assigned to a CPS specialist as either a family assessment or an investigation. Less severe cases become family assessments, where the specialist works with the family to understand their situation before making recommendations for treatment or care.

More serious cases, including any that involve hospitalization, sexual abuse or the death of a child, are designated as investigations and result in a conclusion of ‘founded’ (meaning CPS has determined that abuse or neglect occurred), or ‘unfounded,’ (meaning there is not enough evidence to prove that the reported incident took place).

Data breakdown on this page

• Reported abuse cases- The total number of complaints alleging child abuse, neglect, or a combination thereof received by CPS
• Accepted abuse cases- The total number of complaints deemed valid pursuant to § 63.2-1508 and therefore accepted by CPS for further review as either a family assessment or an investigation.
• Family Assessment- The total number of cases accepted by CPS that followed the Family Assessment response track. The Family Assessment track allows DSS to assess the family with a focus on identifying the family’s strengths and needs. Referrals for services and resources may be provided to the family during the assessment time. Family Assessments do not involve a formal determination or substantiation of child abuse or neglect. Names are not entered into the state’s Central Registry. For example, an allegation of inadequate supervision or substance-exposed infant would typically be followed as a Family Assessment whereas an allegation of severe physical abuse or sexual abuse would follow the response track of an Investigation. It is important to note that the Code of Virginia allows a Family Assessment track to be elevated to an Investigation track should information emerge that deems it necessary to ensure child safety. An Investigation may not be downgraded to a Family Assessment.
• Pending Family Assessment - Family Needs were still being assessed at the time the report was generated.
• Investigated- The total number of cases accepted by CPS that followed the Investigation response track. As mentioned, typically accepted cases with allegations of severe physical abuse or sexual abuse would follow the Investigation response track pursuant to subsection I of § 63.2-1503 and § 63.2-1505.
• Founded- For cases that follow an Investigation track, CPS offices work internally or with law enforcement and the courts to determine if abuse and/or neglect occurred. Such cases are deemed ‘Founded’/‘Substantiated’. The ‘Founded’ data, presented in these reports, are the total number of cases determined to be founded cases of abuse or neglect.
• Agency- When Investigated cases are Founded, they are referred to either law enforcement or the Commonwealth Attorney (Virginia Courts system). In these reports, they are referred to as ‘Agencies’. Therefore, the Agency data presented in reports on this page conveys the number of founded cases that were handled by Law Enforcement or the Commonwealth Attorney Agencies.
• Unfounded- The total number of cases that followed the Investigation track and were not Founded or Substantiated.
• Appeals- The appeals data presented here refers to the total number of Founded cases resulting in administrative appeal. The reporting of this data is pursuant to clause (v) of the code (§ 63.2-1530) and specifically refers to the total number of appeals to the local departments, total number of appeals to the Department, and total number of appeals by outcome of the appeal. The appeals outcomes presented in these data are as follows:
  • Pending (Local Department)
  • Overturn (Local Department)
  • Sustain (Local Department)
  • Amend to Level 3
• Type of Abuse- The total number of cases by type of abuse. Please refer to § 63.2-100 of the Code of Virginia for complete details and definitions of the abuse types represented in these reports. The summary of the abuse types represented in this data are as follows:
  • Medical Neglect- Medical neglect occurs when there is the failure by the caretaker to obtain and/or follow through with a complete regimen of medical, mental or dental care for a condition which if untreated could result in illness or developmental delays pursuant to § 63.2-100 of the Code of Virginia
  • Mental Abuse/Neglect- Mental abuse or neglect occurs when a caretaker creates or inflicts, threatens to create or inflict, or allows to be created or inflicted upon such child a mental injury by other than accidental means or creates a substantial risk of impairment of mental functions.
  • Physical Abuse- Physical abuse occurs when a caretaker creates or inflicts, threatens to create or inflict, or allows to be created or inflicted upon a child a physical injury by other than accidental means or creates a substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or impairment of bodily functions, including, but not limited to, a child who is with his parent or other person responsible for his care either (i) during the manufacture or attempted manufacture of a Schedule I or II controlled substance or (ii) during the unlawful sale of such substance by that child’s parents or other person responsible for his care, where such manufacture, or attempted manufacture or unlawful sale would constitute a felony violation of § 18.2-248 of the Code of Virginia.
  • Physical Neglect- Physical neglect occurs when there is the failure to provide food, clothing, shelter, or supervision for a child to the extent that the child's health or safety is endangered. This also includes abandonment and situations where the parent or caretaker's own incapacitating behavior or absence prevents or severely limits the performing of child caring tasks pursuant to § 63.2-100 of the Code of Virginia. This also includes a child under the age of 18 whose parent or other person responsible for his care knowingly leaves the child alone in the same dwelling as a person, not related by blood or marriage, who has been convicted of an offense against a minor for which registration is required as a violent sexual offender pursuant to § 9.1-902.
  • Sexual Abuse- Sexual abuse occurs when there is any act of sexual exploitation or any sexual act upon a child in violation of the law which is committed or allowed to be committed by the child's parents or other persons responsible for the care of the child pursuant to § 63.2-100 of the Code of Virginia.
  • Substance Exposed Infants- A valid Substance Exposed Infant case is a reason to suspect abuse/neglect as a result of a finding made by a healthcare provider within six weeks of the child's birth that the child was born affected by maternal substance abuse or is experiencing withdrawal symptoms resulting from in-utero drug exposure; or, within the first four years of life is diagnosed as having an illness, disease, or condition that is attributable to maternal abuse of a controlled substance during pregnancy; or has fetal alcohol spectrum disorder attributable to in-utero exposure to alcohol. (Reference: § 63.2-1509 B)
  • Invalid- Not an abuse type. The number of reported cases that, after a preponderance of the evidence, it was determined not to meet the four criteria outlined in § 63.2-1508 of the Code of Virginia.
• Demographics- as specified by the Virginia Child Protection Accountability System (§ 63.2-1530) the Department shall also report the total number of cases by type of abuse; by gender, age, and race of the alleged victim; and by the nature of the relationship between the alleged victim and alleged abuser. Here is a overview of each of these data points:
  • Gender- The gender distribution of the alleged abuse case victims
  • Age- The age distribution of the alleged abuse case victims under 18 years old
  • Race- The race distribution of the alleged abuse case victims
  • Relationships: The nature of the relationship between the alleged victim and alleged abuser

How do I use this page?

Start by selecting last year in the Select Year drop-down. Then select your city or county from the map. Each chart will update to show specific data for your area for the timeframe you specify.

Once you are familiar with that data, experiment with selecting different years and adding additional cities and counties, or narrow the focus by selecting a particular type of court order or selecting one item in a chart to narrow the focus.

Bear in mind...

The data displayed on this page is from the 2013 fiscal year (July 1st 2012 - June 30th 2013) onwards. For data prior to the 2013 fiscal year, please view the historical reports page.

What am I looking at?

The data in these reports and visualizations represents the case flow of all child abuse and neglect cases received and managed by the Virginia Department of Social Services (the Department) and Local Departments of Social Services throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The data displayed here is from the 2009 fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) onwards. For historical data prior to the current data set, please view the historical reports page.

The primary source of the data is the Virginia Child Protective Services (CPS) case management system. The data was compiled from reports generated and provided to the Department of Social Services by Local Departments of Social Services offices for the Virginia Localities/FIPs they serve. It is reported as part of the Virginia Child Protection Accountability System (§ 63.2-1530).

When there is a report of abuse or neglect of a child made to a Child Protective Services office, a Family Services Specialist (FSS) is on hand to assess the report and determine whether or not it is a valid complaint (please see the Virginia code to understand what constitutes a valid case § 63.2-1508).

If a report is determined to be valid, it is assigned to a Family Services Specialist as either a Family Assessment or an Investigation.

More serious valid reports, including those alleging serious injury, sexual abuse, or the death of a child, become Investigations. The FSS will determine the Investigation to be ‘founded” (meaning there is a preponderance of the evidence that abuse or neglect occurred) or ‘unfounded’ (meaning there was not a preponderance of the evidence that abuse or neglect occurred).

Please refer to the latest version of the Virginia Department of Social Services Manual for details on how child abuse and neglect cases are handled by the Department of Social Services and local Child Protective Services offices.

Here is an overview of the core data points presented on this page:

• Reported cases of abuse and neglect - This is the total number reports received by Local Departments of Social Services throughout the fiscal years(s) represented in the reports.
• Accepted cases of abuse and neglect - Reports deemed valid pursuant to § 63.2-1508 and therefore accepted by Local Departments of Social Services for a response. These cases are either moved to a Family Assessment track or an Investigation track.
  • No Selection - This is the number of reported cases of abuse and neglect were validation was not determined by Local Departments of Social Services at the time the reports were generated.
  • Invalid Cases - The number of reported cases that, after a preponderance of the evidence, it was determined not to meet the four criteria outlined in § 63.2-1508 of the Code of Virginia.
• Family Assessment - This is the total number of cases accepted by Local Departments of Social Services that followed a Family Assessment response track. The Family Assessment track allows the Department of Social Services to assess the family with a focus on identifying the family’s strengths and needs as well as risk for future maltreatment. Referrals for services and resources may be provided to the family during the assessment time (Please refer to the latest version of the Virginia Department of Social Services Manual for details on how the department and Local Departments of Social Services offices conduct family needs assessment ). Family Assessments do not involve a formal determination or substantiation of child abuse or neglect. Names are not entered into the state’s Central Registry. For example, an allegation of inadequate supervision or substance-exposed infant would typically be followed as a Family Assessment whereas an allegation of severe physical abuse or sexual abuse would follow the response track of an Investigation. It is important to note that the Code of Virginia allows a Family Assessment track to be elevated to an Investigation track should information emerge that deems it necessary to ensure child safety. An Investigation may not be downgraded to a Family Assessment.
• Pending Family Assessment - Family Needs were still being assessed at the time the report was generated.
• Investigated - This is the total number of cases accepted by Local Departments of Social Services that followed the Investigation response track. As mentioned, typically accepted cases with allegations of severe physical abuse or sexual abuse would follow the Investigation response track pursuant to subsection I of § 63.2-1503 and § 63.2-1505.
• Pending- This is the number of cases in the Investigation track where disposition had not been determined at the time the reports were generated.
• Founded - For cases that follow an Investigation track, Local Departments of Social Services work internally or in concert with law enforcement and the Commonwealth Attorney to determine if abuse and/or neglect occurred. Such cases are deemed ‘Founded’. "Founded" means that a review of the facts shows by a preponderance of the evidence that child abuse or neglect has occurred. A determination that a case is Founded shall be based primarily on first source evidence; in no instance shall a determination that a case is Founded be based solely on indirect evidence or an anonymous complaint.
  • Founded Level 1 - This level includes those injuries or conditions, real or threatened, that result in or were likely to have resulted in serious harm to a child.
  • Founded Level 2 - This level includes injuries or conditions, real or threatened, that result in or were likely to have resulted in moderate harm to a child.
  • Founded Level 3 - This level includes injuries or conditions, real or threatened, that result in or were likely to have resulted in minimal harm to a child. (see ‘Assessments in Family Assessments and Investigations’ 22VAC40-705-110 for more details)
• Unfounded - This is the total number of cases that followed the Investigation track where abuse and/or neglect was not ‘Founded’/’Substantiated’ by a preponderance of the evidence.

How do I use this page?

Start by selecting last year in the ‘Year’ drop-down. Then select your city or county from the map or the ‘Locality/FIPS’ filter. Each chart will update to show specific data for your area for the timeframe you specify. Once you are familiar with that data, experiment with selecting different filters to let you view and compare localities.

What am I looking at?

The data in these reports and visualizations represents the case flow of all child abuse and neglect cases received and managed by the Virginia Department of Social Services (the Department) and Local Departments of Social Services throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The data displayed here is from the 2009 fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) onwards. For historical data prior to the current data set, please view the historical reports page.

The primary source of the data is the Virginia Child Protective Services (CPS) case management system. The data was compiled from reports generated and provided to the Department of Social Services by Local Departments of Social Services offices for the Virginia Localities/FIPs they serve. It is reported as part of the Virginia Child Protection Accountability System (§ 63.2-1530).

When there is a report of abuse or neglect of a child made to a Child Protective Services office, a Family Services Specialist (FSS) is on hand to assess the report and determine whether or not it is a valid complaint (please see the Virginia code to understand what constitutes a valid case § 63.2-1508).

If a report is determined to be valid, it is assigned to a Family Services Specialist as either a Family Assessment or an Investigation.

More serious valid reports, including those alleging serious injury, sexual abuse, or the death of a child, become Investigations. The FSS will determine the Investigation to be ‘founded” (meaning there is a preponderance of the evidence that abuse or neglect occurred) or ‘unfounded’ (meaning there was not a preponderance of the evidence that abuse or neglect occurred).

Please refer to the latest version of the Virginia Department of Social Services Manual for details on how child abuse and neglect cases are handled by the Department of Social Services and local Child Protective Services offices.

Here is an overview of the core data points presented on this page:

• Reported cases of abuse and neglect - This is the total number reports received by Local Departments of Social Services throughout the fiscal years(s) represented in the reports.
• Accepted cases of abuse and neglect - Reports deemed valid pursuant to § 63.2-1508 and therefore accepted by Local Departments of Social Services for a response. These cases are either moved to a Family Assessment track or an Investigation track.
  • No Selection - This is the number of reported cases of abuse and neglect where validation was not determined by Local Departments of Social Services at the time the reports were generated.
  • Invalid Cases - The number of reported cases that, after a preponderance of the evidence, it was determined not to meet the four criteria outlined in § 63.2-1508 of the Code of Virginia.
• Family Assessment - The is the total number of cases accepted by Local Departments of Social Services that followed a Family Assessment response track. The Family Assessment track allows the Department of Social Services to assess the family with a focus on identifying the family’s strengths and needs as well as risk for future maltreatment. Referrals for services and resources may be provided to the family during the assessment time (Please refer to the latest version of the Virginia Department of Social Services Manual for details on how the department and Local Departments of Social Services offices conduct family needs assessment ). Family Assessments do not involve a formal determination or substantiation of child abuse or neglect. Names are not entered into the state’s Central Registry. For example, an allegation of inadequate supervision or substance-exposed infant would typically be followed as a Family Assessment whereas an allegation of severe physical abuse or sexual abuse would follow the response track of an Investigation. It is important to note that the Code of Virginia allows a Family Assessment track to be elevated to an Investigation track should information emerge that deems it necessary to ensure child safety. An Investigation may not be downgraded to a Family Assessment.
• Pending Family Assessment - Family Needs were still being assessed at the time the report was generated.
• Investigated - This is the total number of cases accepted by Local Departments of Social Services that followed the Investigation response track. As mentioned, typically accepted cases with allegations of severe physical abuse or sexual abuse would follow the Investigation response track pursuant to subsection I of § 63.2-1503 and § 63.2-1505.
• Pending- This is the number of cases in the Investigation track where disposition had not been determined at the time the reports were generated.
• Founded - For cases that follow an Investigation track, Local Departments of Social Services work internally or in concert with law enforcement and the Commonwealth Attorney to determine if abuse and/or neglect occurred. Such cases are deemed ‘Founded’. "Founded" means that a review of the facts shows by a preponderance of the evidence that child abuse or neglect has occurred. A determination that a case is Founded shall be based primarily on first source evidence; in no instance shall a determination that a case is Founded be based solely on indirect evidence or an anonymous complaint.
  • Founded Level 1 - This level includes those injuries or conditions, real or threatened, that result in or were likely to have resulted in serious harm to a child.
  • Founded Level 2 - This level includes injuries or conditions, real or threatened, that result in or were likely to have resulted in moderate harm to a child.
  • Founded Level 3 - This level includes injuries or conditions, real or threatened, that result in or were likely to have resulted in minimal harm to a child. (see ‘Assessments in Family Assessments and Investigations’ 22VAC40-705-110 for more details)
• Unfounded - This is the total number of cases that followed the Investigation track where abuse and/or neglect was not ‘Founded’/’Substantiated’ by a preponderance of the evidence.

How do I use this page?

Start by selecting last year in the ‘Year’ drop-down. Then select your city or county from the map or the ‘Locality/FIPS’ filter. Each chart will update to show specific data for your area for the timeframe you specify. Once you are familiar with that data, experiment with selecting different filters to let you view and compare localities.