This page defines child protective services. It explains  how to report abuse or neglect. It talks about what to expect after a report is made. It is also about what types of info are confidential and how ODJFS helps the local agencies.

What are child protective services?

Child protective services aim to help children who have been or may be in danger of abuse or neglect. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) controls the children's services. However, each county has its own public children services agency (PCSA) that handles the child protective services program. The PCSA is made to check reports of child abuse, neglect, or dependency. If necessary, they work with families to lessen the risk to children and prevent further abuse or neglect. If to be at home is not safe for the children, the PCSA will find a safe place for them. If necessary, the local court system may get involved to ensure the children's safety. If kinship placement is not an option, the court may place the children with a licensed provider.

What is the best way to report suspected abuse or neglect?

If you think a child under 18, or a young person under 21 who has a disability or physical impairment, is in danger, you can make a report. To report suspected abuse or neglect, call 1-855-OH-CHILD (1-855-642-4453) and they will connect you to a local agency that can help, like the police or a PCSA. You can also contact the police or PCSA directly in the county where the incident happened or where the child and their parent, guardian, or caretaker live. To find the phone number and address of the right PCSA in your county, look in the County Directory.

What can I expect if I report suspected abuse or neglect?

When you contact a PCSA, a children services professional will ask you some questions – for example:

• The name and address of the child.
• The age of the child.
• The name and address of the parents or caretakers.
• The name of the person you suspect is abusing or neglecting the child and the address if available.
• The reason you suspect the child is being abused and neglected.
• Any other information that may be helpful to the investigation.

You are not required to have all this info, and you may report anonymously, if you choose. Giving your name can help the investigator clarify info. The agency will not give your name to the person suspected of abusing the child.

Will the information be kept confidential?

When someone thinks a child is being abused or neglected, they can report it through the 855-OH-CHILD hotline, law agencies, or PCSAs. These reports are kept private. There is a private database that contains reports and info about the people in it, like the accused, the child victim, and caretakers/others. If an person's name is in this database, they can ask about their status under the Ohio Privacy Act.

How does ODJFS support local children's services agencies?

ODJFS makes sure that programs are carried out correctly by creating rules and steps to help PCSAs deliver their services. They offer different types of help and supervision to the PCSAs.

Technical Assistance

ODJFS helps with laws, rules, and procedures at the state and national levels and sees that PCSAs follow them. They also review case records, data, and admin practices to help make services better. This includes looking into cases with serious injuries or the death of a child.

Training

ODJFS helps train the staff who work in children's services to do their job better. The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program (OCWTP) teaches ways to serve children well by improving skills and building partnerships. OCWTP works with eight training centers in the state, run by PCSAs, to improve training and skills for the staff. ODJFS also supports the University Partnership Program, a special project that makes Ohio's child protection workforce even stronger.

Practice

ODJFS helps PCSAs provide good and fast services to kids and families by showing them the best ways to do it. They help PCSAs follow laws like the Family First Prevention Services Act and the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act. ODJFS also teaches PCSAs how to use tools to make decisions about kids and families. This process is called the Comprehensive Assessment Planning Model. ODJFS also helps PCSAs get info that can help them do their work better.

Where can I find additional information?

Learn more about what Ohio is doing to help, you can visit Differential Response. This website has info about ways to help babies affected by family substance misuse. You can also check out Training to learn about training related to children's services.