CYS works to prevent child abuse, preserve families
Many Fayette Countians aren’t aware that the primary mission of Fayette County Children and Youth Services (FCCYS) is to preserve or reunite families. There is often the mistaken belief that CYS is in the business of tearing families apart. In fact, the bulk of the work we do is an effort to keep families together.
During April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, FCCYS hopes to increase the awareness of its services to area families. We also hope to improve general understanding of the goal of child protective services and, specifically, the help available to children and families here in Fayette County.
The child protective service system in the U. S. began to take shape in the late 1800s. Interestingly enough, the foundation for child protective services arose from guidelines established by animal protection groups.
From the beginning, the system bore a stigma. This was a result of the shame and secrecy that surrounded family violence and child abuse at that time. Historically, child protective services have also been under funded and misunderstood. The system has also been plagued by horror stories that are often not completely factual. Since the confidential nature of child protective services does not allow for response to or clarification in these instances, the system has always operated under a kind of dark cloud. The cloud is slowly lifting as our society has been almost forced to deal more openly with violence issues over the last few decades.
Media has played a key role in this phenomenon simply via technological advances. However, media coverage of issues like domestic violence and child abuse has also brought them out into the open.
Families with problems have become aware that theirs is not the only family in trouble and are encouraged to deal with problems. Society now actively seeks to protect children who are abused or neglected.
Families have the opportunity to participate in helping services both in the community and right in their own homes.
In current thinking and practice, removing children from their families is a last resort. While maintaining or reuniting families is the No. 1 goal, the safety of a child will not be compromised in our efforts to maintain and stabilize families. If safety cannot be assured for reasons such as abuse, conditions in the home or a parent’s inability to care for the child, the child is removed.
Only judges, doctors and law enforcement officers are authorized to take protective custody of a child, who is then turned over to CYS, and caseworkers begin a search for a safe placement for the child. Relatives are considered first.
If, after a thorough investigation, caseworkers find a safe and appropriate home with relatives, a child may be placed there. This investigation includes a criminal history check as well as a check of Pennsylvania’s child abuse records to insure there is no prior involvement with child abuse or assault. These clearances are required for anyone age 18 or over who resides in the potential relative placement home.
The relative’s home is then inspected to assure that it is safe for the child and staff meet with the relative to assess his or her ability to care for the child. Then and only then can CYS consider kinship care. Some of our relative caretakers even go through the extensive process of becoming state approved foster parents.
FCCYS employs a staff of 30, including 19 caseworkers, four casework supervisors, administrative and support staff. The agency’s work is divided into four service units — intake, in-home, foster care and special services — that deal with the specific concerns related to child protective services.
Intake is the unit in which cases of suspected child physical or sexual abuse are investigated. It is also here that the public makes initial contact with CYS and referrals are made for other services when necessary.
The In-Home Services Unit aids families who are having difficulty while the children remain in the home. This assistance can help avoid escalation of the problem to the point where a child must be placed in foster care. In-home services also help families adjust when they are reunited after a child has been in care. Foster Care caseworkers handle all aspects of a child’s placement in a foster or relative care home. This includes seeing that all the child’s daily, medical and educational needs are met and working with the family on a goal plan designed to facilitate the child’s return home as soon as possible. The Special Service Unit is responsible for recruiting and training foster families. It also provides specialized services for specific target groups. An example of this is the FCCYS Independent Living Program, which helps older teens in foster care develop the skills necessary to live on their own.
During Child Abuse Prevention Month, and every month, FCCYS strives to prevent child abuse by helping families handle issues that interfere with health family functioning.
Colleen Zielinsky is a state certified child welfare worker employed in the placement service unit at Fayette County Children and Youth Services. For more information, call 724-430-1283.