Months after being criticized for ignoring 42,000 calls to the Pennsylvania’s child abuse hotline, the agency in charge has added staff, improved training and implemented new technology.
The Department of Human Services is reporting that now just 2% of callers to ChildLine don’t reach a caseworker on first try. That’s down from 42%
Child abuse history clearances are also processed through ChildLine.
The numbers improved here as well. What took 26 days to process the clearances, is now down to less than 2 days.
As DHS Secreary Ted Dallas explains, “It really is about how we continue to keep that going and also continue to make the investments we need to to make sure kids are safe.”
The 24/7 hotline came about as a result of the Jerry Sandusky child sexual abuse case.
DHS has also encouraged individuals to use its website, www.KeepKidsSafe.pa.gov to get more information on the changes to the law, mandated reporting information and training, and clearances.
