INVESTIGATION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT:
Hocking County Children Services is mandated by the state of Ohio to investigate all referrals alleging the abuse or neglect of a child in Hocking County. Agency personnel are trained to investigate reports of physical abuse, emotional abuse, child neglect and dependency. The purpose of the investigations is to ensure the safety of the child.
OUT OF HOME PLACEMENTS:
Hocking County Children Services has 16 licensed family foster homes which provide care for children who are placed in the custody of the agency by the Hocking County Juvenile Court. The agency will seek relative placement before placing a child in a licensed foster home. Children who cannot be placed in the agency’s family foster homes may be placed in a contracted treatment foster home or a residential treatment center. The agency is responsible for recruitment, training and completion of home studies for prospective foster and adoptive parents. The agency requests a foster license from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for all qualified applicants. The agency provides support and training for licensed foster parents and approved adoptive parents.
IN HOME PROTECTIVE SERVICES:
Hocking County Children Services provides support services to families whose children are determened to be at risk of being abused or neglected. Case management services are provided to link the family with community resources and to help alleviate some of the stresses in the home. For many of these children, family teams comprised of carious staff from local agencies and the school are implemented to assist the family.
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES:
Hocking County Children Services is contracted by the Hocking County Department of Job and Family Services to investigate referrals of alleged abuse, neglect and exploitation to adults over the age of 60. In 2006, the agency investigated 59 referrals with 14 cases requiring court involvement.
ADOPTION SERVICES:
Hocking County Children Serives is the agency in Hocking County that is authorized to provide adoption services for children and families. The agency recruits adoptive homes for children with special needs, completes home studies, provides adoption training for prospective adoptive parents, and supervises adoptive placements.
INDEPENDENT LIVING:
Hocking County Children Services is required by the state and federal governments to provide special training in Independent Living for children in foster care who are 16 years of age or older. The traings focus on the skills the teens will need to live independently after leaving foster care. |
