Exploring the Relationship between State Preschool Funding and Child Maltreatment Rates in the U.S., 2011-2023

Background and Purpose:
Investments in early care and education (ECE) may contribute to a reduction in child maltreatment by enhancing family stability and facilitating access to supportive services. While prior research has examined the protective roles of specific ECE programs, the specific relationship between state-level preschool funding and child maltreatment remains underexplored. This study investigates whether higher state preschool spending is associated with lower rates of substantiated child maltreatment among young children in the U.S. Using longitudinal state-level data, we examine this relationship for children aged 0–6. We hypothesize that increased preschool funding per child is associated with decreased maltreatment rates, controlling for state-level sociodemographic and economic characteristics.

Methods:
We draw on three sources of state-level data spanning 2011-2023: (1) preschool funding data from the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) State of Preschool Yearbooks, (2) child maltreatment data from the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), and (3) sociodemographic and economic data from the American Community Survey (ACS). Maltreatment rates per 1,000 children under age 6 are calculated using ACS population estimates. Preschool funding is measured as (1) state-only spending per child (SSPC), and (2) all-reported spending per child (ARSPC), which includes federal and other publicly reported funding. We examined bivariate correlations between preschool funding and maltreatment rates using both all-year averages (2011–2023) and 2019 single-year estimates. The 2019 estimates are included as a pre-pandemic reference point, allowing for a focused examination of funding and maltreatment patterns unaffected by COVID-19-related disruptions. Multivariate regression analyses will next examine whether observed associations persist after accounting for key sociodemographic and economic variables, drawn from ACS and state administrative data, including child poverty rates, unemployment, racial/ethnic composition, the proportion of single-parent households, and state ECE enrollment rates.

Results:
Descriptive correlation analyses suggest small but statistically significant relationships between preschool funding and maltreatment rates. For 2011–2023 average funding, correlations are small. SSPC is negatively correlated with maltreatment (r = -0.0851, p = .00), while ARSPC shows a positive correlation (r = 0.0838, p = .00). In 2019, results are more pronounced: SSPC is negatively correlated with maltreatment (r = -0.2659, p = .00), whereas ARSPC is positively correlated (r = 0.1629, p = .02).

Conclusions and Implications:
Descriptive findings suggest a nuanced relationship between state preschool funding and child maltreatment. State-only funding appears to be correlated with lower maltreatment rates, particularly pre-pandemic, whereas all-reported funding shows a positive correlation. These divergent patterns may reflect differences in how funding is allocated, administered, or targeted across states. Regression models will assess whether these relationships remain after accounting for potential confounders and contextual factors. Findings may inform more targeted public investments in ECE as a strategy to prevent child maltreatment and support family well-being.