AG 2001 01 22 - Laserfiche WebLink

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CABARRUS COMMUNITY CHILD PROTECTION TEAM REPORT TO THE CABARRUS BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 2001 The Community Child Protection Team is a state m.andated countywide commi. 'tree that was formed in.1991 and has met continuously sin'~e that time. The team includes a diverse group of members, including representatives of various public agencies, both school systems, both Head Starts, law enforcement, the Guardian ad Litem Program, the County Commissioners, the faith community and others. The Depamnent of Social Services has responsibility for ensuring the existence of the Child Protection Team. The team meets from 12 to 2 p.m. eight times a year. A subgroup, the Child Fatality Task Force, meets four times a year when the CCPT does not meet. The Community Child Protection Team has several purposes: } to review cases of child abuse or neglect with investigating social workers and their supervisors and make any recommendations that may be useful. to identify needs in the community related to child protection to educate the community about the issue of child abuse and neglect and children's needs to advocate for children How serious is the problem of child abuse and neglect in Cabarrus County? Statistics indicate that it continues to be a serious problem and is a problem throughout the state. The statistics are not significantly different ~om last year's. Statistics for the year that ended June 30, 2000: ~' Number of reports 981 ~' Number of children involved 1978 > Number of reports that were substantiated 255 reports(26%) ~' Number of children involved in the substantiated reports 516 Whb commits mistreatment of children? In 80% of cases, it is the parent. (75% mothers) What kinds of substantiated reports occur? 40% of the substantiated reports were for improper care and discipline 17% for improper Supervision 28% injurious environment 8% sexual abuse 3% physical abuse. Presently, Cabarms County is a pilot county to test an approach to investigations that would allow social workers to provide education and family support services to families in certain cases that would enable parents to avoid the label of child neglect, if that is appropriate.