CYS agencies continue helping children after 2015 jump in reports

Those who made it their mission to protect children suspected of abuse continue to field calls and make investigations after a spike following changes in the law a few years ago.
The 2016 Child Protective Services report released by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services showed that the figures of total reported child abuse remained consistent from 2015 at 42,018 total reports, 4,305 of which were considered substantiated; and 44,359 total reports of child abuse in 2016, with 4,597 considered substantial reports.
While there was a slight increase between 2015 and 2016, the numbers show a drastic difference statewide between the 42,018 total reports in 2015 and the 29,517 in 2014.
“Amendments to the Child Protective Services Law, effective in December 2014, continue to drive increases in reports of child abuse,” the 2016 reports states. The changes increased the number of people who considered mandated reporters of suspected abuse.
Those amendments were made in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual assault scandal.
“We’re seeing more reports each year as a result of that,” said Shara Saveikis, the executive director of Westmoreland County Children’s Bureau.
There were 1,070 total reports in 2016, with 95 substantiated reports. Those numbers were an increase from 898 total reports in 2015 with 64 substantiated reports; however, before those changes in the law took place, 2014 had only 604 total reports, with 67 of those being substantiated.
In Washington County, there were a total of 627 reports in 2016, with 62 being substantiated reports. Those numbers were an increase from the 565 total reports in 2015, with 63 of those reports being substantiated. In 2014, those total reports were even lower with 483 total reports, with 47 being substantiated.
Kimberly Rogers, the director of the Washington County CYS said the county commissioners have increased her staffing to handle those calls coming in.
“We’ve been very lucky to be given the staff to be able to respond to those cases,” Rogers said.
Many of the changes in the law were in regards to who reports suspected sexual abuse and how it’s reported.
One type of child-abuse reporting entity is a mandated reporter, an individual who comes in contact with children in the course of employment or through a scheduled program or service, like teachers.
“A high percentage of our referrals come from schools,” Rogers said.
The changes in the law states that mandated reporters no longer need to be approached by a child to file their report of suspected abuse as they have received training to look for signs of abuse.
The other type of person who can report child abuse is the everyday person, who can make an anonymous call if a child says something to them or if they suspect abuse.
No matter who reports suspected abuse or how it’s reported, an investigation is started within 24 hours.
“If you suspect abuse, report it,” Saveikis said.
Saveikis said that although there were changes to the law, parents still have the right to use physical discipline, but it has to be reasonable force in the supervision or discipline of the child.
That use of force is permitted with minor contact to the child in order to prevent a child from self-inflicting harm, removing a child from a situation to avoid physical injury to people or property or in self defense.
Saveikis added that the new law is more specific in identifying certain types of abuse like kicking, biting, throwing, stabbing or cutting a child, striking or shaking a child under the age of one or causing death through a failure to act.
Rogers encourages anyone with questions to call.
“We’ll ask the right questions when they call to have them start thinking about what to look for,” Rogers said.
Other types of abuse like neglect and aren’t as evident.
“Although there may be no visible signs, some common signs of sexual abuse would be sexually acting out, and children having knowledge of sex beyond what they should for their age,” Saveikis said.
CYS directors suggest other subtle signs of abuse could include anything from a child being more withdrawn than other children to a potty-trained child wetting the bed.
Often, however, those signs can be misinterpreted, and a false accusation can be made.
According to the law, people who make reports are immune from liability for reports that are made in good faith, but there’s an issue of those who make false reports.
Records are kept on false reports and part of the changes in 2015 included an increase of the penalty for people making false reports.
“If someone felt that they were falsely accused, they have a right to report it to the police, and we would cooperate with the police,” Saveikis said.
Also, anyone who prevents or interferes with a report being made or an investigation being conducted can be charged with a crime.
Saveikis said the annual child abuse report only provides a small snapshot of data and performance for every county children and youth agency, adding it doesn’t provide a county’s CYS numbers with child safety, permanency and well-being.
“The report doesn’t reflect how our agencies do in protecting children and strengthen families every day,” Saveikis said. “We are proud that in Westmoreland, our trend lines show continuous improvement in our outcomes.”
Saveikis said not only is it her center’s mission to make sure children are safe, but to also strengthen families by getting support and intervention needed to keep them together.
Such support includes taking proactive measures to assure families are receiving quality contact and services.
“It’s always been the agency’s laws and regulations and even the agency’s mission statement to protect and preserve the family,” Saveikis said. “We’re always developing plans and strategies on how to improve on that.”
Saveikis said they have modified their notification letters to inform families that they should be meeting with a caseworker as well as supervisors conducting random quality assurance calls to the parents about the caseworker, all on a monthly basis.
Caseworkers need to determine that a serious safety threat exists in a home by meeting criteria that includes serious harm to a child, an observable and specific threat, if it’s an out-of-control situation, if the child is vulnerable and if the threat is imminent before removing a child.
“It’s a huge misconception that we can remove children quicker than the law allows,” Saveikis said. “It’s an ongoing effort as we’re doing everything we can to make sure children are safe and strengthening families.”
Anyone who suspects child abuse can make an anonymous report by calling 1-800-932-0313 or for more information, visit www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov