Children/Adult Services

Through our Social Services programs, the Lawrence County Department of Job and Family Services works to assure the well-being and safety of Lawrence County’s most vulnerable citizens: children and those adults over the age of sixty (60).

We investigate reports of abuse, neglect, dependency and exploitation, and in partnership with other local agencies, we find solutions to ensure children and the elderly are in safe, supportive living environments.

We strive to strengthen families and keep them together. However, linking them to the services they need to ensure a safe environment for their children. However, when this is not possible, our caseworkers help to establish alternative living arrangements—with other family members, foster families or adoptive parents. Our ultimate goal is to provide children with a stable, loving, supportive home.

Please report concerns of child abuse or neglect to Lawrence County Children Services at (740) 532-1176, 24 Hour Hotline#. To report a case of suspected abuse or neglect of an older adult, please call Adult Protective Service at (740) 532-3324.

Adult Protective Services

Adult Protective Services (APS) addresses the safety and well-being of older adults, age 60 and over, in Lawrence County. We investigate reports of suspected abuse, neglect and exploitation and coordinate services to protect those who have been identified as being victimized.

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse
• Bruises, black eyes, welts,
  lacerations, rope marks,
  fractures
• Untreated injuries in various
  stages of healing
• An elder's report of being hit,
  slapped, kicked, raped or
  mistreated
• An elder's sudden change in
  behavior, including being
  emotionally upset, agitated or
  extremely withdrawn
• A caregiver's refusal to allow
  visitors to see an elder alone
• Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
• Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bed sores or poor hygiene
• Hazardous or unsafe living conditions (such as improper wiring,
  no heat, no running water, extreme clutter, hoarding, trash, animals)
• Improper or inadequate clothing, lack of necessary medical aids,
  such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, dentures, walker, wheelchair, etc.
• The desertion of an elder at a public location such as a mall or senior
  citizen center

Signs of Exploitation
• Sudden changes in bank account practices, including unexplained
  withdrawals of large amounts by a person accompanying an elder
• Abrupt changes in a will or other legal or financial documents
• Bills unpaid despite adequate resources
• Unexplained disappearance of funds or other valuable resources or
  possessions
• Discovery of an elder's signature being forged for financial purposes or
  for the transfer of titles, etc.
• Unexplained sudden transfers of assets to a family member or
  someone outside the family

Kinship Care

There are times when children cannot remain in their own homes. Many children are fortunate to have a kinship caregiver step up to the plate when this situation arises. Kinship Care refers to a temporary or permanent arrangement in which a relative or non-relative adult who has a long standing relationship with the child and/or family has taken over the full-time care of a child whose parents are unable to do so for various reasons.

Kinship care includes those relationships established through the legal system as well as those established through informal arrangements.

Benefits Available to Kinship Caregivers

Cash Assistance - apply at Lawrence County Department of Job & Family Services (740) 532-1176 and ask for “Child Only” TANF or OWF assistance. Eligibility is based on the child’s situation and not the caregiver’s income. Please note that a non-relative, informal caregiver would not be eligible for cash assistance.

Medical Assistance - apply at Lawrence County Department of Job & Family Services. Eligibility is based on the child’s income, if they are not already covered on a health insurance policy, the child is likely to be eligible for a Medicaid card.

Food Assistance - apply at Lawrence County Department of Job & Family Services. This benefit is available for low income caregivers that are working. Eligibility is based on household income.

Child Care Subsidy - apply at Lawrence County Department of Job & Family Services. This benefit is available for low income caregivers that are working. Eligibility is based on household income.

Kinship Permanency Incentive Assistance - Financial support available for qualifying permanent kinship families. Apply at Lawrence County Children Services. Call (740) 532-1176 and ask for the Kinship Program. A non-relative, informal caregiver would not be eligible for cash assistance.

So Why Kinship? While the child protection system works to strengthen families that are struggling to positively care for their own child, kinship caregivers offer an important option when the child cannot remain safely in his/her own home. Studies show that children have far better outcomes being placed in kinship care as opposed to foster care. And while foster care is a valuable and necessary resource in many cases, we know that children grow better living in safe, familiar homes.

Need more information?
Ohio JFS Kinship Care
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Child Abuse

Following is a brief review of what is considered child abuse, neglect and dependency:

ABUSE

Physical Abuse: Non-accidental injury to a child or death inflicted other than by accidental means. This may include severe corporal punishment that results in serious harm.

Sexual Abuse: Act of sexual nature upon or with a child, such as molestation, prostitution, and pornography. The act may be for the gratification of abuser or a third party.

Emotional Abuse: Chronic, consistent attitude or act that interferes with a child’s psychological and social development.

NEGLECT

Physical Neglect: Willful failure to provide for a child; refusing to perform parental duties; abandonment. Some examples include: • Lack of supervision • Educational neglect • Medical/dental neglect • Unsafe shelter • Failure to protect (domestic violence, child endangering, driving intoxicated, etc.)

Emotional Neglect: Failure to provide the support or affection necessary to a child’s psychological and social development. Some examples include: • Failure to thrive diagnosis • Psychological neglect (for instance, parent does not take child for assessment when he or she threatens or attempts suicide)

Dependency: When a child is deprived of physical or emotional support due to a mental or physical condition of the child’s parents, guardian or custodian. This also pertains to a child who is at risk due to living in a household where abuse, neglect or dependency has already been substantiated in court regarding another child.

Who Are The Victims of Child Abuse?
• Any child (birth-18 years)
• Any child under 21 who has handicaps
• Children across all class, cultural and educational groups

Adoption & Foster Care

Lawrence County Children Services depends on special families to open their hearts and homes to provide temporary and permanent care.

When children are removed from their homes, temporarily or permanently, as the result of child abuse, neglect or other unsafe conditions, Lawrence County Children Services calls on foster and adoptive families to provide the children safe, loving homes. Foster families care for children temporarily while Lawrence County Children Services works with the children’s birth families to resolve issues. When children must be removed permanently from their homes, adoptive families provide a new, permanent, nurturing home.

Homes are needed for children of all ages. There is always a critical need of homes for teens, sibling groups, emergency care homes, and foster families who will also consider adoption of children of all ages. Foster parents work together with the caseworker to meet the needs of the child placed in their home.

For more information about Adoption and Foster Care, please call 740-532-1176, Fax: 740-532-9490, TTY/TTD: 740-532-3080.