A core function of First Star is to assist in the research and publication of report cards to assess state laws that protect abused and neglected children. In developing the report cards, First Star worked with the Children's Advocacy Institute (CAI) and numerous other public and private organizations and was advised by leading experts in children’s rights across the United States. With their help, First Star and CAI developed comprehensive and fair grading methodologies to measure the complex inconsistencies in uniform standards for the representation of and disclosure practices regarding abused and neglected children.

The Report Card Program measures how each state provides effective protection to maltreated children within the framework of its state law. First Star aims to employ these kinds of lateral geographical comparisons to create best practices and better outcomes to benefit children in child protective services, dependency courts, and foster care systems across the U.S. First Star hopes our research with generate heightened awareness and deepen knowledge about the plight of society’s most vulnerable children.

The Report Card Program compares, applauds, and exposes both good and bad practices in each state. The national and state child protective services systems are far from ideal. We hope First Star’s work will drive debate and break new ground in focusing attention on our most precious commodity: the children who are our future.

To view each report card, please click here.