Provides risk assessment for allegations of child abuse and neglect; includes 24-hour crisis intervention for abused/neglected children and ongoing social work for children and parents who are determined to need protective services or placement of children at severe risk; also recruits, trains and monitors foster care and adoptive families.

Provides legal assistance for the state of Ohio and its departments in legal matters, responsible for collecting debts owed to the state. The AG works to protect Ohio citizens through various programs and services

The Children Services Unit investigates reports of abuse and neglect. This unit also assumes responsibility for dependent children. Ongoing protective services to families and children identified to be a risk of further abuse or neglect. Foster care and adoption services are provided. Alternative Response is a form of practice in child protective services that allows for more than one method of response to accepted reports of suspected child abuse and/or neglect.

A wide range of social services coordinated and delivered on behalf of a child who is at risk of abuse or neglect. Reports alleging abuse or neglect are received by Children Services 24 hours per day every day of the year. Social workers respond to these reports by interviewing and assessing the child and his/her family to determine what, if any, risk factors are present. If the level of risk is low, the family is referred to agencies within the community to help them resolve identified problems. If the child is considered to be more significantly at risk, the family is often transferred for services within Children Services. Social workers from the Family Services units provide more intensive services to the children and their families in an effort to reduce the level of risk to the child. Social workers from the Family Development unit offer therapeutic home based services, homemaker assistance and parenting classes to families who have been identified as high risk for abuse and neglect. When a child is determined to be at critical risk, and without intervention could be in danger of serious harm, Children Services can request the Crawford County Juvenile Court to issue an order to place the child out of his/her home on a temporary basis. Social workers from the Family Services units and/or the Family Development unit then work with the family to reduce the risks in the home and reunify the family as quickly as possible.

Child abuse and/or neglect may be reported 24/7 on the Child Abuse Hotline.

Family & Children Services is mandated to receive and investigate reports of alleged child abuse and neglect. Investigations are performed in cooperation with the Police and Sheriff's Departments. Services available to families involved are: Case Management, Case Counseling, Protective Services, Family Stability, Substitute Care and Adoption.

Mandated to investigate reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of senior citizens age 60 and above.

Accepts reports and investigates suspected instances of abuse, neglect or abandonment of children that occurred in Kentucky.

Provides Mandated Reporter Training seminars for Day Care Centers to help staff identify and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Mandated to investigate reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of senior citizens age 60 and above.

Accepts and responds to reports of child abuse or neglect. Services include assessment of the initial referral, assignment of an appropriate response time, consultation with the family to determine the nature of the problem and do initial case planning, and emergency placement services if the child is removed from the family by the police.

Child abuse and/or neglect may be reported 24/7 on the Child Abuse Hotline.

Accepts reports and investigates suspected instances of abuse, neglect or abandonment of children that occurred in Kentucky.

Provides Mandated Reporter Training seminars for Day Care Centers to help staff identify and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Provides protection of children from neglect, abuse, or exploitation by others; program includes working with parents to correct conditions and arrange supportive services, such as household maintenance assistance; working with the child; initiating court action; and removing the child from the home when necessary.

The Children's Services Division assesses allegations of possible abuse or neglect based on reports received from the community. If for any reason someone suspects that any child under 18 (or any child under 21 living with a physical or mental disability) is abused or neglected, a report needs to be made.

Provides Mandated Reporter Training seminars for Day Care Centers to help staff identify and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Investigation, intervention, and advocacy for children who are at risk or victims of abuse including physical or emotional abuse, unsafe or hazardous living conditions, exploitation, neglect, abandonment, or financial exploitation. Hotline for abused children and concerned others who are in need of advice, guidance and/or emotional support.

Receives reports of child abuse and/or neglect and investigates cases. Provides temporary placement for children when needed and offers supportive family services. Child Abuse can take place in different forms, inculding but not limited to: - Physical: Bruises, marks, cuts, or other types of injuries resulting from non-accidental means including excessive or out-of-control discipline. - Neglect: Failure to provide a child with the basic needs such as food, medical care, clothing, and protection that a child needs for adequate growth development. - Emotional: Consistent and ongoing negative interaction between a caregiver and a child such as constant and undue criticism, verbal abuse, ignoring the mental needs of a child, and other forms of rejection. - Sexual: Sexual activity or stimulation between an adult and a child (ranging from fondling to rape). This may also include child pornography and exposing children to situations of a sexual nature. Sexual abuse may also occur between juveniles depending on the ages and the sexual behavior. - Dependency: Involves a child being homeless, destitute, or without adequate parental/caregiver care through no fault of the child's parents or caregiver.

The Children's Services Division investigates allegations of possible abuse or neglect based on reports received from the community. Report any suspicion that any child under 18 (or any child under 21 living with a physical or mental disability) is abused or neglected.

Provides protection to children from neglect, abuse, or exploitation by others through working with parents to correct conditions and arrange supportive services.

Investigates reports of child abuse, neglect or abandonment; provides for temporary placement of children who have been removed from the custody of the adults who are responsible for their care. Works with families who are having a problem with child abuse with the goal of facilitating continued family unification or reunification; provides support services for children in permanent placement.

COVID-19 Temporary Message:Ashtabula County Children Services office is closed to the public. They will continue to accept telephone referrals.

Investigates allegations of child abuse, neglect, and dependency.

Children's Protective Services is responsible for investigating reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of children and provides services to assist in maintaining their safety and protection. The Mercer County Sheriff's Office is the point of contact for after hours emergencies.

Maintains a hotline on which licensed social workers receive reports of the abuse or neglect of children. Basic information is obtained, the need for immediate intervention is assessed, and an investigation process is begun on the case. Investigators assess the level of risk facing the child, and refer children and their families to those who can provide services which will reduce the risk. Removes children who are at serious risk of harm and cannot remain at home. After investigation, those who need continuing services will be transferred to the Direct Services Dept. which will assign a social worker to the case and work to help family resolve the issues behind the abuse or neglect. There is also an Independent Living Program for youth in the custody of CCCFS who are becoming emancipated or who are leaving long-term foster/institutional care. Unit can also provide approval of health care services for youth in custody who have been placed out of the county. Agency also maintains a unit to take complaints about its services. In addition, the hotline receives calls from parents or caregivers who are experiencing difficulties and/or beginning to lose control with a child, and who need someone to talk to. These callers can also be referred to appropriate counseling services.