New Duties for PA Organization, Despite Budget Cuts

Bradford County’s Children and Youth Services Department is being dealt additional duties after new Pennsylvania legislation. In the past, Bradford County Children and Youth Services has only been responsible for investigating child abuse claims involving caregivers. Other abuse investigations were handled by the police. The new Pennsylvania legislation is calling for the Children and Youth Services Department to investigate all child abuse cases, including cases of abuse by teachers and staff in schools. Despite the increase in workload, the department’s state funding has been cut for next year by $8,000. The expectation though, is that the county will be providing the lost funding.