For the first time in Ohio’s history the number of child abuse and neglect cases being reported toped 100,000 and Governor Ted Strickland’s state budget plan has child protective service workers concerned.
Under Governor Strickland’s proposed budget $62 million usually used for child protective service by the counties of Ohio would be shifted to the state subsidized childcare program. This is just one of a series of cuts that have forced many counties to lay off caseworkers. Director of the Hancock County Department of Job and Family Services, Judy Wauford, says that she has lost a large portion of her staff and most of her funding for protective services. Under these conditions protective service agencies are finding it difficult to keep up with the cases and respond to complaints within 24 hours as mandated by the state.
According to statistics released by Public Children Services Association of Ohio statewide reports of abuse and neglect are up by 14% and Franklin County has shown an increase of 16%. The report also says that the number of children being removed from their homes is down by 9% despite the increase in reports.
Child abuse and neglect can have many causes; drugs and alcohol as well as mental illness may be the first to come to mind. However it is believed that the current economy and foreclosures are at least in part to blame for the spike in reported cases. As some parents struggle with the usual personal and marital issues their frustrations can be compounded by layoffs, foreclosure and other financial issues. They find themselves overwhelmed and unable to cope, the resulting stress can be taken out on the children.