Section 3490.53. Functions of the county agency for child protective services

(a) The county agency is the sole civil agency responsible for receiving and investigating reports of child abuse except reports of abuse allegedly perpetrated by an agent. The county agency shall investigate allegations of abuse of children residing in facilities operated directly by the Department.

(b) The county agency shall protect the safety of the subject child and other children in the home or facility and shall provide or arrange appropriate services when necessary during the investigation period.

(c) The county agency shall determine the status of reports of suspected child abuse.

(d) If the county agency concludes that the child is in danger of further child abuse, the county agency shall do the following:

(1) Accept the case for service.

(2) Provide direct case management.

(3) Monitor the provision of services, whether provided directly by the county agency or through purchase or agreement.

(e) The county agency shall provide direct case management of services provided to abused children and their families until the county agency is reasonably assured that the child is no longer in danger of child abuse. The reasons for termination of the county agency involvement shall be recorded in the case record.

The provisions of this § 3490.53 adopted December 20, 1985, effective January 1, 1986, 15 Pa.B. 4547; amended July 2, 1999, effective July 3, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 3513. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (211728) to (211729).

Notation

Notes of Decisions

Expunction Proceedings

Expunction proceedings before the Department of Public Welfare, Bureau of Hearings and Appeals are civil proceedings as opposed to criminal proceedings; therefore, the Sixth Amendment right for the accused to confront the witnesses against him does not apply. Dauphin County Social Services for Children and Youth v. Department of Public Welfare, 855 A.2d 159, 163 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2004)