About Us
What Is the Purpose of Butler County Children & Youth?
Butler County Children and Youth Agency is an agency that is governed by the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to investigate the allegations of abuse and neglect of children, and when necessary, intervene to protect children from abuse and neglect.
Our Mission
The Butler County Children and Youth Agency serves the community by investigating child abuse and neglect allegations and assessing the risk and safety of children as mandated by federal and state laws.
Our goal is to preserve the family unit and provide timely permanence for children by collaborating with natural supports and community resources.
Staff
Butler County Children and Youth Agency has 31 Caseworkers. These include:
- 2 Call Screeners
- 2 Family Engagement Workers
- 12 Investigators
- 15 Ongoing Caseworkers
The Agency employs 7 Supervisors with a breakdown of:
- 3 Intake Supervisors
- 3 Ongoing Supervisors
- 1 Intake/Ongoing Supervisor
Oversight
Children and Youth is ultimately overseen by the Board of Commissioners, with a Human Services Director, Executive Director, and Assistant Director below them.
There is also a Human Services Finance Director who oversees the Fiscal Department.
Reports to the Agency are received by a caseworker call screener. The call screener reviews reports with an intake supervisor to discuss the need to open an investigation.
Some reports do not meet the standards of abuse, neglect, or safety concerns that initiate an investigation.
Response Timelines
If a report is determined by the State Abuse Hotline, ChildLine, to be an abuse referral, the caseworker is required to make first contact no later than 24 hours from the time of the report.
If there is a potential current safety threat to a child, the investigator responds immediately.
If the referral is a neglect or safety concern, it is assigned to an intake/investigation caseworker and the Supervisor assigns a time frame in which they are required to make initial contact to assess safety.
Investigation Period
The investigation period can last up to 60 days and if it is determined that the case needs to remain open for services, it is then transferred to an Ongoing Unit.
The ongoing unit oversees all cases that remain open over the 60-day investigation period.
An ongoing case can include many situations, including:
- Where the child(ren) remain in the home with services to help them
- Where the child(ren) are in foster care with the goal of return home and services are being provided to aid in the return
- Where an older adolescent is in an independent living program
- When it has been determined by court that a child could not safely be returned home and termination of parental rights and adoption occurs
-
Charles L. Johns
Executive Director
-
Karianne Sarnese
Assistant Director
-
Children & Youth Services
Physical Address
124 W Diamond Street
Floor 2
Butler, PA 16001
Phone: 724-284-5156Fax: 724-284-1433