The pathway or response assignment depends on an array of factors, such as the presence of imminent danger, level of risk, number of previous reports, source of the report, and/or presenting case characteristics, such as the type of alleged maltreatment and the age of the alleged victims. Referral Intervention Each referral is evaluated at ChildLine (the state’s 24-hour hotline to accept reports of child abuse) by a trained caseworker who determines the most appropriate course of action. These actions include forwarding a report to a county agency for investigation as child abuse, a general protective services referral, or forwarding the referral to the appropriate law enforcement official(s). A General Protective Services (GPS) referral is when the referral in question does not meet the criteria of suspected child abuse, as defined by the Pennsylvania CPSL. GPS referrals are provided to the appropriate county agency, who will in turn screen the referral to determine if an assessment of the situation is needed. In some cases, services may be offered to the child and family. A referral is a Registered/CPS referral when the allegations are determined to meet the criteria of suspected Child Abuse, as defined by the CPSL. CPS referrals are investigated by the appropriate county or regional office, who will in turn render a decision as to the appropriate status of the referral. Differentiating Child Protective Services from General Protective Services Child Protective Services (CPS) are services and activities provided by each county agency for child abuse cases. These services are provided in child abuse cases, that is when the abuse constitutes child abuse as defined in the law. Services may include counseling, classes to strengthen parenting skills, self-help groups, emergency medical services, and, as a last resort, placement outside the home. CPS cases require that the alleged abuse falls under the definition of child abuse as provided in the CPSL and such cases require an investigation. General Protective Services (GPS) is a governmental structure that supports and provides services when protective services are required in non-abuse cases. GPS protects children under non-abuse circumstances that, nevertheless, may interfere with a child’s growth and development. Such cases may involve children in the following conditions: 1. Lack of proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for his or her physical, mental, or emotional health, or morals. 2. Placement for care or adoption in violation of law.
Figure 2. Relationship of Perpetrator to Victims in Substantiated Reports of Child Abuse in Pennsylvania 1
This Act was amended several times and was most recently amended and reauthorized on December 20, 2010, by the CAPTA Reauthorization Act of 2010. It was amended in 2015, 2016, and 2018, and most recently, certain provisions of the act were amended on January 7, 2019, by the Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2018 (P.L. 115-424). 3 CAPTA provides Federal funding and guidance to states in support of prevention, assessment, investigation, prosecution, and treatment activities and also provides grants to public agencies and nonprofit organizations, including Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations, for demonstration programs and projects. Additionally, CAPTA identifies the Federal role in supporting research, evaluation, technical assistance, and data collection activities; establishes the Office on Child Abuse and Neglect; and establishes a national clearinghouse of information relating to child abuse and neglect. CAPTA also sets forth a Federal definition of child abuse and neglect. In 2015, the Federal definitions of “child abuse and neglect” and “sexual abuse” were expanded by the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act to include a child who is identified as a victim of sex trafficking or severe forms of trafficking in persons. Pennsylvania became CAPTA- compliant in 2006.
Structure of Pennsylvania Child Welfare System Pennsylvania’s child welfare system is one of 12 that operates as state-supervised, but county- administered. In Pennsylvania, child welfare and juvenile justice services are organized, managed, and delivered by 67 County Children and Youth Agencies, with staff in these agencies hired as county employees. The Department of Human Services’ Office of Children, Youth and Families is the state agency that plans, directs, and coordinates statewide children’s programs including social services provided directly by the county children and youth agencies. There are some intrinsic differences in operating a state- supervised and county-administered system, which impact statewide outcomes for children and families. Within this structure, Pennsylvania provides the statutory and policy framework for delivery of child welfare services and monitors local implementation. Differential Response Child Welfare services in Pennsylvania are divided into Child Protective Service (CPS) and General Protective Services (GPS). The use of two or more discrete responses of intervention such as CPS and GPS is known as Differential Response, which is the creation of multiple responses for reports of maltreatment that are screened for response.
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