Child Protective Services - Reports

Child Protective Services - Reports

How this program helps people

The goal of CPS is to provide a continuum of specialized services to protect children from abuse, neglect, or exploitation, to preserve families whenever possible, and to prevent further maltreatment.

Every valid report of abuse or neglect must be responded to by either a family assessment or an investigation. Family assessments are the preferred response when a child is not in immediate danger and when the alleged abuse or neglect is less severe. Family assessments include developing child safety and family service plans to remedy maltreatment and/or prevent future maltreatment. Investigations are conducted when there are immediate concerns about child safety, there may be a prior history of child abuse or neglect, and/or the reported allegation is severe.

Investigations may be founded or unfounded. Founded complaints mean that a preponderance of the evidence shows that child maltreatment has occurred. The determination is to be based primarily upon "first source", or direct, evidence. Unfounded complaints mean the evidence is insufficient to warrant a disposition of "founded".

Data Notes

• Number of reported child victims includes unfounded complaints and family assessments.
• In 2024, SFY 2019 to SFY 2023 annual child fatality counts were updated to reflect finalized counts. Previous counts were preliminary point-in-time counts with cases pending. Counts were updated to align with annual Report on Child Death Investigations counts found here: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/geninfo/reports/children/cps/all_other.cgi
• As of November 7, 2025 there were 53 child fatalities pending a finding for SFY 2025. The data is point in time and can change due to criminal cases, appeals and autopsy results.

Data Sources

• Virginia Child Welfare Outcome Reports (VCWOR); CPS Reports - "Referral and Findings Annual Report (by Locality)"