Understanding the Role of Rurality in Child Welfare: From Child Maltreatment Reports, Investigation Decisions, Re-involvement to Foster Care Outcomes

This study examines how rurality relates to child maltreatment reports (CMRs) among the child population, child protective services (CPS) investigation decisions and re-involvement among children reported to CPS, and foster care services and outcomes among children enteringcare. Tract-level linear regressions assessed urban-rural differences in CMR rates among Illinoistracts in 2021 (N=3,248). Individual-level logistic regressions examined urban-rural differences in CPS investigation decisions and re-involvement among children reported to CPS (N=153,850) and foster care services and outcomes among children entering care (N=6,736). Small urban andrural tracts had higher CMR rates-26.6 and 33.7 per 1,000, respectively-than large urbantracts, even after controlling for a range of socioeconomic-demographic variables. Reported children in rural and small urban areas had greater odds of substantiation, service case opening,and foster care entry, as well as higher odds of re-involvement. Among children in care, those inrural areas were more likely to be placed farther from their families, and those in rural and smallurban areas faced higher risks of termination of parental rights. Geographic context strongly shapes CMR risks and subsequent CPS involvement and outcomes. Addressing these rural-urbaninequities requires recognizing geography as a structural determinant and developing place-based policy and resource strategies to promote equity.