Children & Youth Services
The mission of Adams County Children and Youth Services is to ensure that each child in Adams County has a safe and permanent home.
The services provided by Adams County Children and Youth Services are based on the following historical core beliefs:
- The role of child welfare is to protect children and to preserve and stabilize the family unit, however it defines itself.
- Children are entitled to a safe, nurturing and stable environment.
- Children do best in their own families.
- It is a parent's right to raise children according to their own value system, providing the child's physical, emotional and social needs are met.
- That government intervention is justified when the family cannot, or will not, provide for a child's basic needs.
- Prevention and education are vital to reducing the number of families at risk.
Adams County Children and Youth Services has the responsibility of ensuring that the children of Adams County are safe and receive the essentials of life. The Agency provides services to any child under the age of 18 who has been abused, neglected, or is found to be dependent.
Services
Foster Care - Foster care is a program designed to provide a substitute family life experience for a child who needs care for a temporary or extended period of time. The primary goal of foster care is to reunite families or to ensure that the child will leave foster care for a permanent placement. Foster care is founded on the premise that all children have the right to physical care and educational and emotional nurturance. Please note that the foster home approval process is extensive and follows Pennsylvania State regulations. This is done to ensure the safety of the children who may eventually be placed in the home.For more information, or to inquire about becoming a foster parent, please contact the Foster Care Program Specialists at 717-337-0110.
Intake/Referral - The workers designated to this unit take responsibility of investigating and making assessments of the need for intervention. The Agency Screener takes calls from mandated reporters and/or any community member who is concerned about a child, including their own children, if necessary. Some referrals are resolved over the phone, some are referred to other agencies and the remainder is served directly by our staff.
Placement - At times it is necessary to separate children and families in order to ensure the child's safety. Types of placements include foster homes, emergency shelters, group homes and residential facilities.
Protective - Once a family has become involved with Children and Youth Services, a Service Plan is developed to help the family reach their desired goals. This plan may include referral services for counseling, support groups, training or evaluation.
