The mission of the
Venango County Children and Youth Services is simply:
Families First-Safety Always

The Venango County Children and Youth Service is the local public child welfare agency.  Every county in Pennsylvania has a similar agency.  Children and Youth is a state-mandated program that is administered locally by the County Commissioners. There are some administrative differences from county to county.  Jurisdiction is determined by where the incident occurs.  All of the Children and Youth agencies assist one another in reaching families to assure the safety and welfare of children and families.

Venango County Children and Youth Service is located in the Exchange Building at 1283 Liberty St. in Franklin, PA, phone 814 432-9743. Caseworkers travel throughout the county to visit families.  Our normal business hours are Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30; however, the agency provides 24-hour coverage for emergencies via the Venango County Protective Service Unit, which can be accessed by calling 814 676-4545.

The staff at Venango County Children and Youth consists of the Director, Casework Manager, three casework supervisors, a program specialist for foster care, 17 caseworkers and six fiscal and administrative support staff. The Agency is also host to a Regional Training Center of the Competency Based Training Program, the educational arm of the State Office of Children Youth and Families. The entire staff is certified by the State Civil Service Commission.  The professional staff is certified by the state specifically in Child Welfare practice.

Venango County Children and Youth Service is committed to working in a collaborative partnership with our communities. We welcome, encourage and embrace participation by school and agency staff in our Advisory Board, our Multidisciplinary Team and our daily operations.  Nearly every school district and several agencies are currently represented on these boards.

The BLUE RIBBON is the symbol for Child Abuse Prevention. Each April is Child Abuse Prevention Month though we hope this effort, awareness and commitment prevails every day throughout the year. Please call if at anytime you have questions, concerns, complaints and suggestions………WE ARE ALL IN THE QUEST TOGETHER!

IF YOU WISH FURTHER DETAIL OR CLARIFICATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE AGENCY.  THE VENANGO COUNTY CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICE IS AVAILABLE TO DO IN-SERVICE WORKSHOPS.  PLEASE CALL IF YOU ARE INTERESTED.

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Reporting to Children and Youth

Who must report?…the mandated reporter

Mandated reporters are people who come into contact with children as part of their work.  Mandated reporters include, but are not limited to, physicians, medical examiners, dentists, optometrists, nurses, hospital personnel, members of the clergy, school administrators and teachers, social services workers, day-care center workers, child care or foster care workers, mental health professionals, and law enforcement officials.  By law, mandated reporters must report when they have reasonable cause to suspect (based on their medical, professional, or other training and experience) that the child before them has been abused.

What procedures must a mandated reporter who is employed at a facility, institution, or agency follow?

If a mandated reporter is a member of staff of an institution, school, facility or agency, that person must notify the person in charge or designated to handle child abuse reporting.  The designated person has the legal obligation to make the report to the Department of Public Welfare and may be made to the appropriate child protective service.  The person in charge may not make an independent decision of whether or not to report the suspected abuse.  Mandated reporters who do not work in such an institution must themselves call in the report to ChildLine at (800) 932-0313.

Individuals who are required to report by law must make these reports immediately by phone and in writing within forty-eight (48) hours.

Two ways to report…

1.  General Protective Service Reports (GPS REFERRALS) are made directly to Venango County Children and Youth by calling 814 432-9743.  A worker is always available during normal business hours to help you make this referral.

   1. GPS REFERRALS are made to report broad concerns for the safety and well-being of a child.

   2. Professional reporting sources follow up with a Request for Service form.

2. Child Protective Service Reports (CPS REFERRALS) are made to CHILDLINE (800) 932-0313 and/or to the agency (432-9743).  ChildLine is the central registry for child abuse in PA and is available 24 hours a day.

   1. CPS REFERRALS are made to report specific allegations of child abuse as defined in the glossary.

   2. Professional reporting sources follow up with a CY47 within 48 hours of the report…see appendix for sample.

AS SOON AS A PROBLEM IS IDENTIFIED, STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A NEED TO CONTACT CHILDREN AND YOUTH.  IT IS NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE, OR EVEN DETERMINE, WHICH KIND OF REPORT IS NEEDED.  CALL THE AGENCY WITH QUESTIONS.  THE SOONER CHILDREN AND YOUTH IS CONTACTED, THE SOONER INTERVENTION CAN BEGIN.

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Helpful Hints When Reporting Suspected Child Abuse

The safety and welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. There are certain circumstances when it is necessary and appropriate to report concerns and allegations to the appropriate public child welfare agency. Knowing exactly when and what to report is not as important as calling the agency to discuss the situation to determine if a report is appropriate . Safe is always better than sorry. There will be a worker available to assist you in proving the information needed to make a referral if appropriate. The following information may assist you…

• The minimum information needed to enable Children and Youth to assess a situation includes: an address or explicit directions to enable a worker to locate the child and/or family; allegations that the person responsible for the problem or condition is a caretaker/parent or a member of thechild’s household; allegation that fall within the legal jurisdiction of the child welfare agency.  Again, a worker will help you to provide this information.

• Reports made to Children and Youth are confidential. You will not be informed regarding the outcome of the investigation. You may make an anonymous referral. If you identify yourself and ask that your name remain confidential, efforts will be made when appropriate to accommodate this request. However, there are some circumstances that require the agency to release the name of the reporting source to the police and/or the Court .

  • If your concerns or other problems are substantiated by the investigation, services will be initiated to address and resolve those issues. The goal of Children and Youth is two-fold…to assure the child’s safety and to preserve the family unit. Children are only removed from their family against the wishes of the parent if there is evidence of substantial risk that cannot be reconciled with services to the intact family. Placement by the agency can only occur if ordered by the Juvenile Court.

• Children and Youth investigates and provides services in many situations that are not defined as abuse according to the law. In the Child Welfare System, the term ABUSE has very Specific definitions. You are not responsible for defining the problem, but it is important that when necessary you can identify the problem and know where to call for assistance.

“CHILDLINE”
The 24 Hour Hotline for Child Abuse in Pennsylvania 1-800-932-0313

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Truancy

Who is required to attend school?

All children between the ages of eight and 17 are required to attend school in Pennsylvania.  Parents can decide when to start their children in school, but it must be no later than the age of eight.  Children must attend regularly through their 17^th birthday.

Who is responsible for making sure a child attends school?

Every parent, guardian, or person in a parental relationship, who is responsible for a child between the ages of eight and 17, is liable for making sure that the child attends school regularly.

What is truancy?

Pennsylvania defines truancy as when a child of compulsory school age does not attend school for three or more consecutive days without a valid excuse for the absences.

When is a child considered habitually truant?

A child is liable for prosecution for truancy if he/she has accumulated more than three unlawful absences.

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INCORRIGIBLE (UNGOVERNABLE, OUT OF CONTROL) ADOLESCENTS

The Juvenile Court Act (42 Pa.C.S. Sec. 6301 et seq.) offers as one element of the definition of a Dependent Child the following: A child who has committed a specific act or acts of habitual disobedience of the reasonable and lawful commands of his/her parent, guardian, or other custodian and who is ungovernable and found to be in need of care, treatment or supervision.

Generally speaking, a child is considered incorrigible if they are out of control at home, in school and in the community.  This is the child unwilling to accept authority from anyone and whose behavior is placing him/her at risk of harm.

Venango County Children and Youth Service offers services to caretakers who have exhausted community resources without success in an effort to provide proper guidance, structure and supervision to their child.  The agency should be a last resort.  Caretakers should be encouraged to utilize available community resources such as medication, counseling, parenting classes, support groups, etc. prior to contacting Children and Youth for services.  However, sometimes it is helpful for Children and Youth to have a one-time “motivational” office visit with the child and his caretaker to clarify the expectations of the law and the agency regarding parental supervision and child compliance to make everyone aware of the options and potential consequences of continued incorrigibility.  The caretaker can call to arrange such a visit.

It is important that the caretaker is the referral source in these cases since without their investment, Children and Youth Service’s intervention is not likely to be successful.  Professionals are encouraged to assist families in making connections.  Please call Children and Youth for information to assist in this process.

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Child Abuse (CPS)
(*Definition as per “The Child Protective Services Law”,
Chapter 63, Act 127 of 1998 6303. (b)

1. The term “child abuse” shall mean any of the following

   1. Any recent act or failure to act by a perpetrator, which causes non-accidental serious physical injury to a child under 18 years of age.

   2. An act or failure to act by a perpetrator, which causes non-accidental serious mental injury to or sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a child under 18 years of age.

   3. Any recent act, failure to act or series of such acts or failures to act by a perpetrator which creates an imminent risk of serious physical injury to or sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a child under 18 years of age.

   4. Serious physical neglect by a perpetrator constituting prolonged or repeated lack of supervision or the failure to provide the essentials of life, including adequate medical care, which endangers a child’s life or development or impairs the child’s functioning.

2.  No child shall be deemed to be physically or mentally abused based on injuries that result solely from environmental factors that are beyond the control of the parent or person responsible for the child’s welfare, such as inadequate housing, furnishings, income, clothing, and medical care.

3. If, upon investigation, the county agency determines that a child has not been provided needed medical or surgical care because of seriously held religious beliefs of the child’s parents, guardian, or person responsible for the child’s welfare, which beliefs are consistent with those of a bona fide religion, the child shall not be deemed to be physically or mentally abused.  The county agency shall closely monitor the child and shall seek court-ordered medical intervention when the lack of medical or surgical care threatens the child’s life or long-term health.  In cases involving religious circumstances, all correspondence with a subject of the report and the records of the Department of Public Welfare and the county agency shall not reference “child abuse” and shall acknowledge the religious basis for the child’s condition, and the family shall be referred for general protective services, if appropriate.

SERIOUS BODILY INJURY

Bodily injury, which creates a substantial risk of death, or which causes serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment, of function of any bodily member or organ.

SERIOUS MENTAL INJURY

A psychological condition, as diagnosed by a physician or licensed psychologist, including the refusal of appropriate treatment, that:

1. Renders a child chronically and severely anxious, agitated, depressed, socially withdrawn, psychotic or in reasonable fear that the child’s life or safety is threatened; or

2. Seriously interferes with a child’s ability to accomplish age-appropriate developmental and social tasks.

SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY

An injury that:

1. Causes a child severe pain; or

2. Significantly impairs a child’s physical functioning, either temporarily or permanently.

SEXUAL ABUSE OR EXPLOITATION

The employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement or coercion of any child to engage in or assist any other person to engage in any sexually explicit conduct or any simulation of any sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual depiction, including photographing, videotaping, computer depicting or filming, of any sexually explicit conduct or the rape, sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, molestation, incest, indecent exposure, prostitution, statutory sexual assault or other form of exploitation of children.
 

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