When the economy takes a downturn, it often hits the most vulnerable families the hardest. Unfortunately, funding for social services and assistance programs tends to drop during times of economic struggle, when they are needed most.
This brief highlights the devastating impacts of poverty and economic shifts on vulnerable families, provides evidence for the increased risk of child abuse during an economic crisis, and identifies federal policies that can be implemented today to help states address the needs of high-risk families during this difficult economic period.