HOW DO I MAKE A REPORT OR REQUEST SERVICES?
A caseworker from Snyder County Children & Youth Services is available to take new reports 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
INFORMATION TO INCLUDE IN A REPORT
When making a report, it is helpful to have as much of the following information as possible without delaying the phone call:
|
ABOUT THE CHILD… |
|
· Name or physical description |
· Age or approximate age range |
|
· Location (if different from parent/caretaker) |
· Child’s school and grade |
|
ABOUT THE PARENT OR CARETAKER… |
|
· Name or physical description |
· Age or approximate age range |
|
· Home address and directions to the home |
· Home telephone number |
|
· Place of employment and work schedule |
· Best way/time to contact family |
|
ABOUT THE SUSPECTED ABUSER… |
|
· Name, physical description, license plate # |
· Relationship to the child |
|
· Home address and directions to the home |
· Home telephone number |
|
ABOUT THE SUSPECTED ABUSE… |
|
· Description of injury/impairment to the child |
· Concerns for the child’s immediate safety |
|
· Where the incident took place |
· When the incident occurred |
|
· History of prior injuries/incidents |
· Witnesses to incident(s) |
|
ABOUT THE REPORTER… |
|
· Relationship to the child |
· Actions taken
(talk to parent, report to police) |
|
· Home address |
· Home telephone / other contact telephone |
|
* You may report an incident anonymously, however, it is helpful for the agency to be able to contact you for additional information if necessary. See also: reporter confidentiality. |
You may be asked for additional information to help assess the urgency or seriousness of the situation. This information may include knowledge of substance abuse, domestic violence, or other physical or behavioral concerns. Information may also be gathered on existing services and/or agencies known to the family, as well as potential safety risks for Children and Youth Services staff responding to this report.
WHEN TO MAKE REPORTS TO OTHER COUNTY AGENCIES
Reports to Children & Youth Services in Pennsylvania should be made to the county agency where the concern exists. At times, a family may reside in one county, but abuse or neglect of the child may have occurred in another county. In such instances, the allegations of abuse or neglect may be investigated by the county where the incident(s) occurred rather than the county where the family resides. When in doubt, call the county agency where the family resides or contact ChildLine (1-800-932-0313), Pennsylvania’s statewide reporting agency.
Visit the PA Department of Public Welfare website for contact information for County Children and Youth Agencies across the state, as well as Regional Offices of the Office of Children, Youth, and Families.
MANDATED REPORTING
Protecting our children is the responsibility of us all. But certain professionals, due to their contact with children, have special responsibilities. These people are called mandated reporters and are of critical importance to the child abuse prevention effort.
