Category: Government Actions

PA Department of Human Services Releases 2021 Child Protective Services Report, Encourages All Pennsylvanians to Report Child Abuse (September, 6, 2022)

On September 6, 2022, the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) announced the release of the 2021 Annual Child Protective Services Report, which includes statewide and county-level data relevant to the child welfare system. DHS also urges all Pennsylvanians to report potential child abuse or neglect to ChildLine, which is a 24/7 hotline available to anyone concerned for the safety or well-being of a child, by calling 1-800-932-0313. 

“On behalf of the Wolf Administration, I want to thank all of the child welfare workers and mandated and permissive reporters throughout Pennsylvania who work every day to ensure the safety of the commonwealth’s children,” said Acting DHS Secretary Meg Snead. “Throughout the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ChildLine continued taking calls and county and DHS caseworkers continued investigating reports. Caseworkers ensured families continued receiving the services they needed. The work these child welfare workers do every day ensures that Pennsylvania children can grow up safely and cared for. The value of their work is immeasurable.” 

The child welfare system in Pennsylvania is state-supervised and county-administered with both having vital roles in the protection of children. DHS provides funding, oversight, and technical assistance to each county agency. DHS is also responsible for the licensure of public and private child welfare agencies and the investigation of complaints received regarding these agencies. 

DHS is committed to addressing and understanding the impact of racial disparities in the child welfare system, and for the first time included statewide race and ethnicity data for substantiated victims and perpetrators in the annual report. Addressing racial disparities requires recognition of the points at which bias can enter the system and how inequities at each point can impact the trajectory of children and families as they move through the system. This information will continue to be collected and refined for future reports for DHS to make decisions in the best of interest of children and families in Pennsylvania. 

DHS is also responsible for oversight and enforcement of laws, regulations, and policies that guide the provision of child welfare services at the county level by each of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania. This includes the Child Protective Services Law, which defines child abuse and incidents in which Child Protective Services (CPS) reports are necessary.  

The CPS reports DHS received rose by about 15 percent between 2020 and 2021. This increase was anticipated, largely due to the decline of reports observed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the reduced contact between children and mandated reporters during that time.  

Reports of suspected child abuse made by mandated reporters saw increases in 2021, again due to the decrease during 2020, but these reports are not fully back to pre-pandemic levels. The most significant change was observed for school employees. In 2020, 5,780 school employees made CPS reports, as opposed to 12,990 in 2019. In 2021, this number rose, with 8,313 total CPS reports being made by school employees.   

Pennsylvania saw a decrease in child fatalities substantiated as the result of child abuse between 2020 and 2021 but saw an increase in child near fatalities substantiated as the result of child abuse. In 2020, 73 children died, and 115 children nearly died as a result of child abuse. In 2021, 57 children died, and 136 children nearly died as a result of child abuse. 

“It is all of our responsibility to stop child abuse and neglect, and taking proactive, deliberate action now can prevent tragedies in the future,” said Acting Secretary Snead. “One child’s death is too many. I urge anyone who has concerns for the safety of the children in their life to contact ChildLine immediately.” 

Anyone can make a report to ChildLine. Anyone who is not a mandated reporter can make a report to ChildLine anonymously. DHS encourages all Pennsylvanians to learn more about the signs of potential abuse or neglect and make a report to ChildLine if they begin to suspect abuse or neglect. Signs of potential abuse or neglect can include: 

  • Numerous and/or unexplained injuries or bruises;
  •  Chronic, pronounced anxiety and expressed feelings of inadequacy; 
  • Flinching or an avoidance to being touched; 
  • Poor impulse control;
  •  Demonstrating abusive behavior or talk; 
  • Cruelty to animals or others; and,
  •  Fear of parent or caregiver, among others. 

Pennsylvanians can learn more about the signs of potential abuse at www.keepkidssafe.pa.gov. To report suspected child abuse, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.   

To view the press release, click here.

PDE: School Bus Drivers Play Critical Role for PA Students (September 6, 2022)

As schools open for the 2022-23 school year, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Acting Secretary Eric Hagarty and the Pennsylvania School Bus Association (PSBA) are highlighting the critical role that school bus drivers play across the commonwealth.

“As we work to ensure that students in all areas—rural, urban, and suburban alike—have access to a high-quality education, we must also provide access to safe, reliable transportation to and from school,” said Acting Secretary Hagarty. “School bus drivers are critical in that mission, and PDE is committed to supporting this industry as it works to recruit individuals to the workforce.”

Currently, there is a need for between 2,000 and 3,000 drivers in Pennsylvania and  PSBA has been working to address the driver shortage by launching a multi-faceted recruitment campaign. PSBA developed YouBehindTheWheel.com, a microsite designed to educate people about the school bus industry and get them interested in becoming a driver, and SchoolBusHero.com, a free job portal that PSBA members can use to advertise open positions in their company. The organization also created a digital ad campaign, a Facebook ad campaign, and a YouTube ad campaign, which have been viewed collectively millions of times across the commonwealth.

Individuals interested in becoming bus drivers can fill out the PA School Bus Driver Interest Form online.

The Pennsylvania School Bus Association consists of over 300 school transportation contractors and industry partners who have come together to be a strong voice for school transportation safety and the school transportation contracting industry. Its mission is to provide programs, education, and services to promote and foster the highest degree of safety in the transportation of school children and strengthen the quality of student transportation through professional management.

For more information about Pennsylvania’s education policies and programs, please visit the PDE website.

To view the press release, click here.

Legislative Leaders Agree on Swift Passage of Constitutional Amendment Supporting Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse (September 4, 2022)

Legislative leaders have agreed to work toward a swift second passage of a constitutional amendment, early next legislative session, that would open a two-year window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file civil lawsuits.

According to Gov. Wolf, â€œAfter speaking directly with legislative leaders on both sides of the aisle, I’m pleased that they have committed to prioritize second passage of a constitutional amendment early next session. I am grateful for this agreement so that survivors can seek a path forward toward justice.”

In 2021, the General Assembly approved a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to provide for a two-year window for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file previously time-barred claims. Constitutional amendments must be approved during two consecutive legislative sessions before being put on the ballot, so the constitutional amendment could be on the ballot for the voters to decide in 2023.

Senator Lisa Baker has pledged to push through the constitutional amendment as soon as possible in the new session and, because the outcome of a referendum on an amendment is never certain, she will also introduce legislation to make the change statutorily, if necessary.

The new legislative session begins January 2023.

To view the press release, click here.

September is National Recovery Month (September 3, 2022)

The PA Departments of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and Health (PDH joined individuals in recovery, advocacy organizations, and others to highlight the importance of accessible supports for individuals in recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) and to kick off National Recovery Month across Pennsylvania.

National Recovery Month is observed throughout the month of September to recognize the gains made in the lives of individuals living in recovery from SUD and show that every day, people can and do recover. The 2022 National Recovery Month theme is “Recovery is For Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community.”

“People can and do recover from the disease of addiction. September is a time to celebrate the gift of recovery and to remind people in recovery, and those who support them, that no one is alone in their journey,” said DDAP Secretary Jen Smith.

In Pennsylvania, The following actions have been taken in this effort:

  • Implementing Life Unites Us, the first-of-its-kind, evidence-based stigma reduction campaign has reached nearly four million Pennsylvanians in year one
  • Collecting more than 1 million pounds of prescription medication across more than 889 take-back boxes in all 67 Pennsylvania counties,
  • Launching Pennsylvania’s Get Help Now Hotline, which has connected an average of 21 Pennsylvanians per day directly to substance use disorder treatment,
  • Expanding access to naloxone in communities through Pennsylvania’s standing order, free distribution days, and mail-order naloxone program,
  • Implementing Warm Handoff Programs in 95 percent of Pennsylvania’s hospitals and referring more than 27,000 individuals to SUD treatment through those programs,
  • Increasing access to medication-assisted treatment and treatment for uninsured and underinsured individuals with SUD,
  • Awarding over $14 million in federal funding to recovery community organizations, and
  • Expanding a new, free, and confidential SUD treatment locator resource, Addiction Treatment Locator, Assessment, and Standards Platform (ATLAS) to Pennsylvania.

Individuals looking for substance use disorder treatment options or resources for themselves, or a loved one can call DDAP’s Get Help Now Hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This helpline is free and confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

View the press release by clicking here.

View a full calendar of recovery events by clicking here.

Providers Are Ready to Administer Updated COVID-19 Booster Shots (September 3, 2022)

​The Department of Health (PDH) announced that vaccine providers across the state are prepared to begin administering updated COVID-19 booster vaccines as soon as they receive them. The vaccines, which provide additional protection against the original coronavirus and Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, were recently approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after receiving emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration. 
The new Pfizer vaccine is available to individuals 12 years of age and older, while the new Moderna booster shot is available to people 18 years of age and older.  
“The updated COVID-19 booster shots will help restore protection that may have waned since previous vaccinations and provide added protection against the Omicron variant, including the highly transmissible BA.4 and BA.5 strains,” Acting Health Secretary and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said. “Vaccine providers across Pennsylvania have already requested the updated vaccines, which will begin arriving in Pennsylvania as early as today and continue after Labor Day. If you are eligible, please reach out to your local vaccine provider to schedule an appointment.” 
The CDC specifies that people must have already received their primary vaccination series (two doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson) to be eligible for the new updated booster shot. Individuals are also required to wait at least two months since completing their primary series or a booster shot before being eligible to receive the updated booster vaccine. 
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines target both the original SARS CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. Specifically, one part of the vaccine targets the spike protein of the original strain of the virus, while the second part targets another form of the spike protein found in BA.4 and BA.5 variants. 
PDH also notes that the CDC has advised people 12 and older who have already scheduled appointments for the original booster vaccine to reschedule the appointment and ask for the updated shot. The original vaccines are no longer authorized for use as boosters for people 12 years of age and older. Those vaccines, however, are still to be used for those beginning or finishing the primary series. 

To view the press release, click here.