The Children's Services division
of HCJFS is one piece of a
larger child protection system
that includes:
-
Hamilton County Juvenile
Court
-
law enforcement agencies
-
Mayerson Center for Safe &
Healthy Children
-
service providers across
Hamilton County
-
residents of Hamilton County
By law, Children's Services must
take and investigate allegations
of child abuse and neglect.
Residents and other
professionals who suspect abuse
and/or neglect should call
241-KIDS, Hamilton County's
24-hour line.
Our partners in the community
Children's Services partners
with a number of organizations
and county agencies to keep
Hamilton County's children safe,
including:
-
Hamilton County Sheriff's
Department
-
Hamilton County Prosecutor's
Office
-
Hamilton County Juvenile
Court
-
various county boards and
agencies
-
Alcohol and Drug
Addiction Services Board
-
Community Mental Health
Services Board
-
domestic violence
programs
-
parenting training
courses
-
emergency housing
Why does child abuse and neglect
happen?
There are many possible reasons.
Parents or caregivers can have a
substance abuse problem or
untreated mental illness. They
might also lack skills or feel
overwhelmed.
 Regardless
of the reason, Children's
Services caseworkers' primary
interest is the safety of the
children. Caseworkers try to
help parents and/or caregivers
deal with issues that have led
to cases of child abuse and
neglect. This help may involve
setting up temporary homes for
children while parents get
counseling or other services
aimed at improving the safety of
their children at home.
Whatever the plan worked out for
the parents or caregiver, the
goal is to keep the family
together whenever possible.
What are some examples of child
abuse and neglect?
There are many examples of child
abuse and neglect:
-
3-year-old left home alone
-
explanations for injuries
that don't fit the injury
(non-accidental injury)
-
hazardous home conditions
-
adult sexual contact with a
child
If you notice something like
this, or if you have a question
about something you think could
be abuse or neglect, call
241-KIDS. Trained professionals
on the line can help you.
What else does Children's
Services do?
In addition to taking and
investigating calls about
alleged child abuse and neglect,
Children's Services also:
-
Seeks protective, temporary
or permanent custody of
children through Juvenile
Court, if necessary
-
Places children in temporary
care with relatives, foster
parents or institutional
settings when they cannot be
safe in their own homes
-
Involves families and
community partners in making
decisions that affect
children
-
Provides services to help
families that include drug
abuse treatment, emergency
housing, mental health
counseling, and parent
education.
-
Recruits and trains foster
and adoptive families
-
Prepares children for
adoption and arranges for
post-adoption services to
families
-
Provides training in
independent living skills
for older teens
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