Child Protective Services
Ohio's public children’s services
agencies (PCSAs) assess and investigate reports of child abuse, neglect, or
dependency as required by state law. If
necessary, the PCSA will work with the family to develop a family case plan
identifying services to reduce risk to the children and prevent the abuse or
neglect from occurring again. In instances where it is found that children are
not safe in their home, the PCSA will work with the family to identify a
voluntary safety plan for the children.
If the PCSA and the family are not able to work out a voluntary plan,
the PCSA will involve the local court system for intervention to ensure the
children’s safety. Intervention could include placing the children with a licensed
provider if a kinship placement is not possible.
To make a report,
contact the PCSA in the county where the children and their parent, guardian or
custodian reside or call 1-855-OH-CHILD (1-855-642-4453).
Ohio’s Differential Response Child Protection System
Ohio has a Differential Response
child protection system. This means children services agencies have two options
for responding to accepted reports of child abuse and neglect: The Traditional Response pathway and the Alternative
Response pathway. Both pathways allow children services staff to address the
unique safety concerns, risks, and situations of each family, in a way that is
collaborative and respectful. In both cases, the primary goal is child safety.
Two Pathways to Help Ensure Child Safety
Traditional Response
- Always
required for reports of sexual abuse, abuse resulting in serious injury, and
whenever children are determined to be in serious and immediate risk of harm.
- May
involve court intervention.
- Will
result in a determination/finding about the allegation.
Alternative Response
- Used
when reports of abuse or neglect do not allege serious or imminent harm.
- Does
not result in a determination/finding about the allegation.
Both pathways
require caseworkers to complete a Safety Assessment and a Comprehensive Family
Assessment, which includes an assessment of risk, to gather information about
the family’s strengths and needs. Both pathways are safety-focused partnerships
with families. A case may be assigned to
an Alternative Response pathway but later change to a Traditional Response
pathway if needed to ensure child safety or requested by the family.
Resources
Differential Response Practice Profiles - Form JFS 08301