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<br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: February 7, 2001 <br />Action Aged <br />Item No. <br />SUBJECT: Proposed New Child Protective Services Positions Funded from State Block <br />Grants <br />DEPARTMENT: Social Services and PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No <br />Personnel <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />Denise C. Shaffer, Social Work Program <br />Director, 968-2000, Extension 246 <br />Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director <br />Extension 2550 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBERS: <br />Hillsborough 732-8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968-4501 <br />Durham 688-7331 <br />Mebane 336-227-2031 <br />PURPOSE: To consider establishing eight new permanent, full-time child protective services <br />Ito address the needs-ofabused and neglected children in Orange County. These <br />positions will be funded with State administered Federal TANF funds. <br />BACKGROUND: The protection of vulnerable children from abuse/neglect is an important . <br />County responsibility. The Department of Social Services is mandated to investigate reports of <br />abuse/neglect, make a determination as to whether or not abuse/neglect has occurred, provide <br />treatment services to reduce risk of harm to children, petition the court to remove children at <br />imminent risk of harm, and place children in Social Services custody in a safe environment. <br />During FY 1999-2000,1,661 children were alleged to be abused/neglected. There were 575 <br />substantiations of abuse/neglect; almost half of these children (276) were under six years of <br />age. These very young victims are among the most vulnerable citizens in our County. <br />To enhance safety for children and families, Social Services must complete the following child <br />protective services responsibilities: <br />• Initiating investigations as soon as possible to ensure prompt assessment of risk or harm to <br />children. <br />• Visiting children frequently to determine that protection plans are being implemented and <br />children are not continuing to be victimized.