24/7 Child Abuse Report Hotline:
419-774-4100
Richland County Children Services recognizes that every family faces unique challenges and many struggle to maintain a safe and nurturing home for their children. To support these families, we utilize a variety of resources designed to keep children free from neglect and harm while living in their own homes. We assist families in accessing needed services to care for their children and stabilize their home environments. Our services include:
Many families seek assistance from RCCS and their needs are evaluated through our intake services. Other families enter our program after we have received a report of potential abuse or neglect. In both situations, a social worker assesses abuse or neglect concerns through observations and interactions with the child and the family. A family assessment and disposition report is completed within 45 days of initial contact with RCCS or the date of the receipt of the report. Part of this report includes actions to be taken and resources to be accessed to assure the wellbeing of the child and help the family create a safe and supportive environment.
To request assistance, contact our agency at 419-774-4100 or (TTY) 419-774-4156.
To report suspected abuse or neglect, please call our 24/7 hotline: 419-774-4100.
Our commitment to keeping families together is reflected in our prevention services. We provide a variety of services to young mothers, families of school-aged children, and families of unruly and delinquent youth with a goal of preventing problems from developing into abuse or neglect. Services may include day care, counseling, evaluation, treatment and referrals to other social service agencies.
If you would like to access our prevention services or learn more about them, please contact us at 419-774- 4100 or (TTY) 419-774-4156.
Our priority is to help families keep their children safe. Depending on the needs of the family, our social workers will coordinate and make referrals to a variety of services such as: mental and behavioral health services, drug abuse treatment, parenting training and domestic violence advocacy. They also coordinate family team meetings to assess progress and address ongoing needs.
When parents face issues that must be addressed before they can care for their children, our goal is to place the children with family members whenever possible. Kinship placements provide a stable home environment that allows children to retain their sense of family. Kinships may be with a blood relative or a non-relative who has an established relationship with the family. We know it is important that the children have permanence in a nurturing environment with people they know and trust and we strive to achieve this placement when needed. Family members and close family friends who choose to participate in Kinship Services give an invaluable gift to these children.
When our efforts to keep children in their home or place them with family members are unsuccessful and the court gives custody to the agency, we utilize foster families. Each foster family is screened, trained and monitored by RCCS and actively participates in family meetings. They serve as a temporary home environment for the children until they can be reunited with their parents or transitioned into a kinship setting. In some instances, a child in need of a permanent loving home will be placed for adoption. Potential adoptive parents complete the same screening and training process before being eligible to offer a permanent home to a child.
