The Child Welfare system is a group of services designed to promote the well-being of children, by ensuring safety, achieving permanency, and strengthening families to care for their children successfully.

In 1974, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) was originally passed.

Child maltreatment is defined by CAPTA as serious harm (neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse) caused to children by parents or primary care givers

The Children's Bureau is the first federal agency within the U.S Government and in fact, the world to focus exclusively on improving the lives of children and families.

In 2016, there were 43,800 households investigated for reported child abuse or neglect.

Most Native American tribes administer their own child welfare system to keep Native American children who enter the system connected to their communities.