WILKES-BARRE — The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services released the 2024 Annual Child Protective Services Report this week. It provides statewide and county-level data on the efforts to protect and help children who were reported as victims of suspected abuse and neglect.
The report gives a year-long look into trends in Pennsylvania’s county-administered, state-supervised child welfare system that can give context to potential opportunities to strengthen DHS’ work with county partners and further support organizations working with families to give children safe, healthy childhoods.
“Protecting Pennsylvania’s children and ensuring their well-being is a core responsibility of government,” said DHS Secretary Val Arkoosh. “At the center of this work are our County Children and Youth Agencies. Their steadfast commitment to serving our children is admirable and every child protected is a testament to their work.”
Arkoosh said while CCYAs play a critical role in the prevention of child abuse and neglect fatalities, they cannot work alone.
Pennsylvania’s child welfare system
The child welfare system in Pennsylvania is state-supervised and county-administered which means day-to-day operations are the responsibility of each county with state oversight — both parties play vital roles in the protection of children. DHS, through its Office of Children, Youth and Families, oversees this system.
Counties in Pennsylvania are generally responsible for all day-to-day child welfare functions. Nearly 3,000 county-employed caseworkers and case supervisors across Pennsylvania’s 67 counties dedicate themselves to ensuring the safety and well-being of the Commonwealth’s children, youth and families.
Report summary
Under the CPSL, DHS must submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly on child abuse in the Commonwealth. The report provides information on the efforts to protect and help children who were reported as victims of suspected abuse and neglect.
In 2024, there were a total of 41,070 reports of suspected child abuse, compared to 40,301 reports in 2023.
In the 2019 Annual Child Abuse, prior to Pennsylvania experiencing the impacts of the pandemic, the total number of suspected child abuse reports had been 42,252.
The 2024 report found that:
• There were a total of 60 substantiated fatalities in 2024, compared to 57 substantiated in 2023.
• 90 substantiated perpetrators were associated with the 60 substantiated fatalities. Of these, 37 had previous or active involvement with a child welfare agency.
• There were a total of 82 substantiated near fatalities in 2024 compared with 119 reported in 2023.
• 118 substantiated perpetrators were associated with the 82 substantiated near fatalities. Of these, 43 had previous or active involvement with a child welfare agency.
• The percent of reports of suspected child abuse that were substantiated slightly decreased from 11.7% in 2023 to 11.6% in 2024.
MEUSER CO-SPONSORS LEGISLATION TO COMBAT ORGANIZED RIOTING
U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, co-sponsored H.R 4620 — the Stop FUNDERs Act — this week. The legislation provides the Department of Justice additional tools to hold those who organize and incite destructive riots accountable.
Specifically, Meuser said this legislation expands the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act — otherwise known as the RICO Act — to make rioting, as well funding or organizing violent group activities, a crime.
Meuser said the legislation responds to a troubling increase of violent mobs carrying out coordinated assaults on law enforcement, businesses and communities across the United States.
Meuser said a stark example occurred on July 4, when armed anarchists launched an ambush on the Prairieland Detention Center in Texas — 14 assailants, wearing black military style clothing, lured law enforcement officers out of the center and then attacked them with high-powered rifles and fireworks.
In recent years, Meuser said Pennsylvania has seen its own share of unrest, most notably in Philadelphia, where demonstrations in 2020 and again in 2023 spiraled into looting, violence and widespread damage to small businesses and neighborhoods.
“Here in Pennsylvania, we’ve seen first-hand how riots can devastate small businesses, threaten neighborhoods, and put enormous strain on law enforcement,” said Meuser. “These are not spontaneous acts of protest, but planned, well-funded operations aimed at creating chaos and undermining public safety. While I strongly support the First Amendment rights of all Americans to speak freely and assemble peacefully, those who exploit those freedoms to incite violence or bankroll destruction must be treated as the criminal enterprises they are.”
The Stop FUNDERs Act has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.
CULVER ENCOURAGES FOOD DONATIONS DURING HUNGER ACTION MONTH
Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Northumberland, is inviting residents to participate in Hunger Action Month this September by donating unexpired, non-perishable food items at her district offices.
All collected items will be distributed to local food banks to help support families in need throughout the 27th Senatorial District.
“Hunger Action Month is an important reminder that too many of our neighbors struggle with food insecurity,” Culver said. “By coming together as a community, we can make a meaningful difference. Even a small donation can have a big impact on a local family.”
Constituents can drop off food donations at any of Senator Culver’s district offices during regular business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.:
Luzerne County Satellite Offices — Call 570-387-4267, or visit senatorculver.com/office-information for hours.
Bloomsburg — 160 W. 6th St., Bloomsburg, 570-784-3464.
Mount Carmel — 10934 State Route 61, Mount Carmel, 570-339-5937.
Shamokin Dam — 48 Orchard Drive, Suite 1, Shamokin Dam, 570-743-1918.
Donations will be accepted throughout the month of September.
For more information, visit senatorculver.com.