Changes to Pennsylvania`s Child Protective Services Law

CASA O F
NEWSLETTER
FALL 2014
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
Changes to Pennsylvania’s
Child Protective Services Law
In the past five years, there have been three highly publicized incidents of child abuse
in the Commonwealth: The Jerry Sandusky Scandal, The Child Sexual Abuse Scandal in
the Philadelphia Archdiocese and the “Cash-for-Kids Scandal” in Luzerne County.
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IN THIS ISSUE
Changes to Pennsylvania’s
Child Protective Services Law
Board Member Spotlight:
Jessica Lynch
Thank You!
Back to School Event
Volunteer Recognition Dinner
A Super Event
Each crisis highlighted deficits with legislation concerning Pennsylvania’s reporting,
recording and response to child abuse and neglect. As a result, Governor Tom Corbett
convened a state wide panel of experts to review Pennsylvania’s laws regarding child
maltreatment. After more than a year of work, the Panel published recommendations
which were then voted on by the Pennsylvania Legislature, signed by the Governor
and many of which will take effect on December 31, 2014.
While the following is by no means a comprehensive list, we wanted to highlight
some of the major changes that will affect our CASA volunteers:
The creation of a Statewide Database. The Department of Public Welfare will be
establishing a single statewide toll-free telephone number that all persons may use
to report cases of suspected child abuse.1 County agencies will be able to use this
toll-free telephone number when determining the existence of prior reports of child
abuse or prior reports that are currently under investigation. CASA volunteers will have
access to this database as well. The database will help volunteers with investigations
because it will contain the status of reports, the number of reports, the nature and extent
of the alleged or actual instances of suspected child abuse, and the county in which the
reports are investigated.2
Designation of CASA volunteers as mandated reporters under Pennsylvania law.
As mandated reporters CASA volunteers will be required to immediately make an oral
report of suspected child abuse to the Department of Public Welfare via the statewide
toll-free telephone number and then notify their Case Manager. The CASA volunteer
is then expected to follow up their oral report with a written report (which may be
submitted electronically) to the Department of Public Welfare or the assigned county
agency within 48 hours. The information required within this written report (such as
names and addresses, where the suspected abuse occurred, family composition, etc.) will
be something all CASA Case Managers will be able to provide guidance on. When a report is
made by a mandated reporter, the Department of Public Welfare shall notify the mandated
reporter within three business days of receiving the results of the investigation.3
Releasing the identity of an agency providing services. This is particularly important
for all CASA volunteers and employees to consider while advocating for their families.
CASA volunteers should be prepared that the investigating county agency may release
information to the public concerning a child who died or nearly died as a result of suspected
or substantiated child abuse.4 A county agency may release the identity of the child; the
identity of the agency that had custody of the child; and the identity of any agency providing
services to the child and the child’s family along with a description of the services provided.5
A county agency is permitted to release this limited information to the public prior to an
investigation being completed.
CASA of Allegheny County will be hosting mandatory trainings on these new law
changes in the coming months for all CASA volunteers. 1
4
23 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6331 (West), 2 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6336 (West), 3 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6334.1 (West),
23 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6365(d.1) (West), 5 23 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 6365(d.1) (West)
CASA O F
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
FALL 2014
Back to School Event
Board Member Spotlight:
Jessica Lynch
This fall we choose to shine our spotlight on Board Member Jessica Lynch, who serves as Senior Counsel at Alcoa Inc.,
advising the corporation in employment matters, negotiating agreements and mediating disputes, and representing
the company in administrative proceedings in addition to supervising attorneys, paralegals, and staff.
Jessica earned her J.D. from the
College of William & Mary, MarshallWythe School of Law, as well as an MBA
Essentials Certificate from the Katz
School of Business, Center for Executive
Education. Jessica also provides pro
bono legal services in Custody Conciliation and PFA matters, and is on the
Global Steering Committee for the Alcoa
Women’s Network.
We asked Jessica a few questions
about her involvement with CASA and
life in general…
Q
A
What first sparked your
involvement with CASA?
I attended an event for CASA
at The Frick many years ago and
was moved by the stories I heard that
evening. I became a Sponsor a Child
Society member as a result.
Q
What do you believe makes
CASA different from other child
welfare system agencies?
A
The “Constitution” of the
organization: Volunteers taking
action for the benefit of the children,
and the Court. Since we are volunteer
based, our advocates really live the
mission. They are well trained and
committed to making every effort to
get the best outcome. CASA has a clear
agenda focused only on the children
and keeps away from the politics that
seem to impact how other organizations
handle cases.
Q
What are your personal goals
as a CASA Board member?
What do you hope to achieve during
your tenure?
A
Q
Increased awareness of CASA’s
mission and work. What else do you like to do in
your free time? Family? Hobbies?
Travel?
A
Very active with 2 teenagers
as well as church and other
volunteer commitments. Occasionally
I do some bike riding, world travel and
even some laundry. Thank you Jessica for your tireless
commitment to CASA and the children
we serve!
Thank You!
CASA of Allegheny County is extremely
grateful to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Foundation for their recent grant to our
organization. Funding will help support
CASA’s advocacy for abused and
neglected children. Pens Foundation
president Dave Soltesz presented the
grant to CASA Executive Director
Melissa Protzek and CASA Board
President Paul Melander on July 2, 2014.
Pittsburgh’s Cars ‘N Coffee Club
named CASA of Allegheny County the
beneficiary of its 2014 Hangar Party,
held at the Washington County Airport
on Saturday, September 6. Enjoying
an evening of fast cars and great food,
attendees were also able to learn about
CASA and support our work throughout
Allegheny County.
Thank you to Generoasta Café for
hosting the phenomenal Corks, Canvas
& Acoustics event on Tuesday evening,
September 9. Attendees enjoyed the
music of Greg & Rob from The Clarks
and Jeff & Skip from Good Brother
Earl as they tasted the fine wines of
Narcisi Winery. Tom Mosser’s painting
demonstration was a highlight of an
evening that featured a fine art auction
by some of Pittsburgh’s best artists.
Proceeds from the event will support
Generoasta’s 2014 charity partners:
CASA, Cranberry Cup and The Woodlands.
Do you remember the excitement you felt on your first day of school? How you couldn’t sleep,
wondering who your teachers would be and where your friends would sit? How you looked forward
to wearing your new shoes, carrying your new bookbag and sharpening your new pencils?
Unfortunately, for many of the children
bring a little bit of excitement back into
new, positive memories. And, mini-golf,
CASA serves, the beginning of the school
the start of the school year by hosting
pizza, balloon and caricature artists
year isn’t looked at with excitement,
the fourth annual Back to School Event
added some fun to the mix.
but with fear. The prospect of new
at Schenley Park. A generous donation
teachers and new friends is dreaded,
from Centimark provided new back-
not celebrated, and too often, the shoes,
packs, school supplies and gift cards for
bookbags and pencils are not new.
shoes and clothing. An appearance by
Pittsburgh Steelers Cam Hayward and
Steve McLendon helped the kids make
CASA, in collaboration with Centimark
and the Pittsburgh Steelers, worked to
Thank you to Centimark, the Pittsburgh
Steelers, Pizza Parma, Mike the Balloon
Guy and Citiparks for all of their help
and dedication to CASA’s 2014 Back to
School Party!
CASA O F
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
CASA Board of Directors
Paul Melander, President
Jarene Barnes, Vice President
Michael Kirk, CPA, Treasurer
Jessica Lynch, Secretary
Steve Esber
Fred Kraft
Jacqueline B. Martinez, Esq.
Dennis Noonan
David R. Perry, PG
Janet Rose
Adam Yofan
CASA Staff
Susan Allardice, Financial Manager
Monica Manes Gay, Development Director
Sandy Locust, MAT, Case Manager
Robin McNeal, Administrative Case Manager
Danielle Morrison, MCP, Program Director
Teddi Prettiman Tarr, Communications Manager
Melissa Protzek, Esq., Executive Director
Charmaine Turner, Case Manager
APRIL 25, 2015
A SUPER event
Registration is open for this year’s Superhero
5K and Family Fun Run on Saturday morning,
April 25 at the North Park Pool. A fun event
for young and old alike, this run is like no
other because it encourages all participants
to dress up like superheroes. Why? Simply
because all children need heroes but abused
and neglected children need superheroes.
Volunteer Recognition Dinner
The annual CASA Volunteer Recognition Dinner will be
held Thursday evening, October 16, from 6-9PM at LeMont
Restaurant. Join us as we celebrate the commitment and
dedication of all CASA volunteers!
Online registration will be available at www.pgh-casa.org.
Don’t forget, this year there are many ways
to enhance your superpowers. Consider
putting together your own Justice League by
registering a team of participants! You can
also set up a fundraising page and encourage
friends and family members to sponsor your
Superhero debut. Or, if you’d rather not run/
walk but still want to participate, be a
volunteer—we need lots of superpowers
the morning of the race to make it a success.
Any way you get involved, know
that you are helping to fight
for all abused and
neglected kids!
So, grab your cape and join
in the fun on the 25th!
More information can
be found at www.
pgh-casa.org.