COVID-19 Impact on Child Welfare in Colorado

INVISIBLE CHILDREN

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This article submitted by Arizona State University

Volunteer Student Danielle Braun

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COVID-19 Impact on Child Welfare in Colorado

Calls to Colorado’s child abuse hotline fell during coronavirus, but harm to kids likely didn’t

The Colorado Sun- Feb 4, 2021

There was a significant decrease in calls to a Colorado hotline aimed to report child abuse and neglect during early stages of the pandemic. In 2020, the hotline reported a 13% drop in calls. Individuals who are legally required to report instances of abuse have not had a chance to report at the typical rate because they are no longer seeing children on a regular basis. Calls received by medical professionals dropped by 11%. Whereas calls from school system professionals dropped by approximately 30%. This decrease should not be considered a sign of decreased abuse; but the increase of isolation itself.

Child abuse and neglect hotline (coloradosun.com)

COVID-19 is Stressing Colorado’s Child Welfare System

5280- June 2, 2020

Colorado child welfare workers experienced extreme levels of stress during the pandemic. The need to keep Covid-19 cases at bay has impacted the efforts of the foster system. In person visitations with potential foster families and court appointed special advocates (CASAs) had to come to a halt in order to prioritize the health of the children.

Covid 19 is stressing colorados child welfare system (5280.com)

Mental Health and Substance Use Considerations Among Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic

KFF- May 26, 2021

Prior to the pandemic, Colorado was already experiencing mental health and substance abuse problems among children. The risk of this has increased significantly since the pandemic began. The risks may be even greater for LGBTQ youth and children of color. New bills intended to mend this problem could be helpful.

Mental health and substance use considerations among children during the covid 19 pandemic (kff.org)

A growing number of Colorado children have lost a caregiver due to COVID

Colorado Newsline- March 1, 2022

More efforts are considered as the number of children who have experienced loss of a primary caregiver due to COVID-19 continue to rise. As the pandemic rages on, the impact of children losing caregivers has increased the mental health crisis among youth in Colorado.

A growing number of colorado children have lost a caregiver due to covid (coloradonewsline.com)

Child abuse and neglect calls back up in Colorado after COVID dip

Colorado Newsline- March 10, 2022

After the drop in hotline calls during the first year of the pandemic, data shows that the amount of calls being made by educators have begun to rebuild.

Child abuse and neglect calls back up in colorado after covid dip (coloradonewsline.com)

Child abuse cases decrease following COVID-19

KREX- April 4, 2022

The Director of Child Welfare claims that efforts made to prevent child abuse pre-pandemic have lead to an overall decrease of cases of child maltreatment.

Child abuse cases decrease following covid 19 (westernslopenow.com)

ARPA funds will provide family intervention help in northeast Colorado

Journal Advocate- April 6, 2022

American Rescue Plan Act Funds have been signed to assist with in-home crisis intervention after the COVID-19 pandemic. The long awaited funds to assist in the prevention of suspected and proven child neglect and abuse.

Arpa funds will provide family intervention help in northeast colorado (journal-advocate.com)

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