What does the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) track?

The Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) serves as a critical tool within the Illinois child welfare system primarily focused on tracking the history of reports of abuse or neglect involving children in Illinois. It maintains records of incidents reported to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), allowing for a comprehensive overview of cases that have been investigated, thereby enabling child welfare professionals to assess the safety and well-being of children more effectively.

Tracking prior incidents of abuse or neglect is vital for making informed decisions regarding interventions and providing protection for children at risk. This historical data can help in identifying patterns of behavior, guiding assessments during investigations, and ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to support at-risk families.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary purpose of CANTS, as it is not designed for tracking current foster care placements, criminal convictions of parents, or child mental health statistics. Each of these areas falls under different databases and systems used for varied administrative and welfare-related functions.