About

Lawrence County Children and Youth Services is a county agency that is funded with federal, state, and county funds. The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare oversees the agency. The agency investigates reports of child abuse and neglect within Lawrence County. When necessary, after investigation and assessment, Lawrence County Children and Youth Services may take custody of abused and/or neglected children through court process. The children will then be placed in foster care or preferably placed with family when appropriate family is available. Lawrence County Children and Youth Services caseworkers will then prepare a written plan for the family and work with the family in an attempt to safely return the children home to their family. The family will be referred to appropriate services to eliminate the conditions that led to the removal of the child. If the child cannot be returned home safely the agency, through the courts, will work to find a permanent safe alternative home for the child. Lawrence County Children and Youth Services works with families and children when there is child abuse, child neglect, truancy, incorrigibility, or when children run away from home.

Help Families & Children in Need

Lawrence County Children and Youth Services is in need of caring individuals who are willing to be foster parents and care for children who cannot remain in their own homes. If you are willing to consider becoming a foster parent, please call Bill Blose, the Foster-Kinship Program Supervisor, at 724-658-2558. Information concerning foster care can be found at adoptpakids.org.

Report Suspected Child Abuse

All persons are encouraged to report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Certain professionals are required by law to report child abuse and/or neglect. These individuals are mandated reporters. Mandated reporters are persons who, while in the course of their employment, come into contact with children. Mandated reporters include, but are not limited to, physicians, medical examiners, dentists, optometrists, nurses, hospital personnel, members of the clergy, school administrators and teachers, social services workers, day-care center workers, child care or foster care workers, mental health professionals, and law enforcement officials. By law, mandated reporters must report when they have reasonable cause to suspect (based on their medical, professional, or other training and experience) that the child before them has been abused. Reports can be made to Lawrence County Children and Youth Services during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday except holidays, at 724-658-2558. When the agency office is closed, you can make reports by calling the emergency services dispatch phone number at 724-656-9300. If you call this number the dispatcher will arrange for the on call caseworker to call you to take your report. Reports may also be made anytime to the Child Abuse Hot Line at 1-800-932-0313.

Employment

Persons interested in employment opportunities with Lawrence County Children and Youth Services should contact the Lawrence County Human Resource Office at the Lawrence County Court House at 724-656-2164. A copy of the Lawrence County Employment Application is available on this web site.