Child Abuse & Neglect

What Is Child Abuse?

In Pennsylvania an abused child is one who is under 18 years of age and a victim of serious non-accidental physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, serious physical neglect, or at imminent risk of physical or sexual abuse caused by the parent, a person responsible for the child's welfare, any individual residing in the same home as the child, or a parent's paramour.

What We Do About Child Abuse & Neglect

Our Goal

Our goal is to provide the best home life possible for Fayette County, Pennsylvania children, and our services are designed to accomplish that goal by doing the following:

• To help keep children in their own homes; to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation; and to help overcome problems that result in dependency and delinquency.
• To provide temporary, substitute placement in foster homes and residential child care facilities for a child in need of such care.
• To reunite children with their families when temporary, substitute placement has been necessary.
• To provide a permanent, legally assured family for a child who has been in temporary, substitute care and who cannot be returned to his own home.
• To provide services and care when ordered by the Court for children who have been adjudicated dependent or delinquent.

Services Provided

Children and Youth Services fulfills its responsibilities to Fayette County's children by providing the following:

• Adoption
• Court Intervention
• Educational Programs
• Foster Care
• Home and School Visits
• Independent Living Training
• Intake Services
• Investigation of complaints of child neglect and abuse
• Office interviews
• Placement Services
• Referrals to other agencies
• Reunification Plans
• Supportive Services

Report Child Abuse or Neglect

If you suspect child abuse or neglect, immediately call either our Child and Youth Services 24-hour hotline at 724-430-1283 or ChildLine at 800-932-0313.