Frequently Asked Questions
-
Does CYS provide financial assistance for problems with housing, utilities, etc?
- At what age can I leave my child home alone?
- What are common requests for service we get that we do not handle?
- What constitutes neglect?
- If I make a referral regarding a child, will my name be kept confidential?
- What services are available to help runaway or at-risk youth and their families?
- How do I become a foster parent?
- How do you decide whether or not a child is accepted for services?
- What happens if my child is truant from school?
- I am a legal guardian for a child. Where can I go to receive assistance for the child?
1. Does CYS provide financial assistance for problems with housing, utilities, etc?
If you are experiencing financial difficulties please refer to F.I.R.S.T. (1-800-673-2529) to find community resources that may be available to assist you.
2. At what age can I leave my child home alone?
There is no set legal age for children to be left home alone in the state of Pennsylvania. However, any child left unsupervised must possess the skills and maturity to handle the situation safely. If they are not mature enough and/or unable to maintain their safety, leaving a child unsupervised may be considered neglect.
View more about leaving children at home
3. What are common requests for service we get that we do not handle?
Our agency cannot provide services for counseling, parenting classes, lawyer services, bar association (legal rights), and custody matters.
4. What constitutes neglect?
There are several different types of abuse. They include sexual, physical, mental/emotional and neglect: Neglect cases can occur when a parent fails to provide for various physical needs, including adequate food, clothing or shelter. It can also occur when a parent fails to meet a child's basic needs for nurturing and affection. This is called emotional neglect. It can also reflect a parent's failure to provide for the child’s educational needs or medical needs and treatment.
Sexual abuse occurs when children are used for sexual gratification or are exposed to sexual activities. Sexual abuse includes oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration and child pornography when committed on a child by a perpetrator. It can also include kissing or fondling or any inappropriate touching, or even exposure to sexual activities.
Physical abuse occurs when a physical act of violence causes the child severe pain or significantly impairs the child’s functioning. Indicators of physical abuse include unexplained bruises, broken bones, or burn marks on a child. Shaken Baby Syndrome is a type of physical abuse caused by the violent shaking of an infant or young child resulting in possible brain damage, loss of hearing, or even death.
Emotional abuse renders a child chronically and severely anxious, agitated, depressed, socially withdrawn, or in reasonable fear that their safety is threatened. If may also seriously interfere with the child’s ability to accomplish age-appropriate developmental tasks.
If you suspect child abuse/neglect please call: 1-800-932-0313
5. If I make a referral regarding a child, will my name be kept confidential?
Under most circumstance, a referral sources name will be kept confidential. However there could be instances when abuse/neglect to a child lead to criminal charges. In these instances, the courts may request the referral source.
6. What services are available to help runaway or at-risk youth and their families?
There are many community services available to assist runaway youth and their families. Some services include Family Group Decision Making, out-patient counseling, strengthening families, and Youth Advocate. Additional resources can be found through F.I.R.S.T. (1-800-673-2529).
View the FGDM Brochure
7. How do I become a foster parent?
Those interested in seeking information about becoming a foster parent may call the agency’s resource unit at (717) 846-8496 or 1-800-729-9227.ext. 316 or 277. Basic requirements to become a foster parent include:
- Be at least 21 years old and a legal citizen of the United States;
- Applicant must currently possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and own a fully insured and inspected automobile;
- Proof of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance that covers fire and liability. All homes must be equipped with “land line” phone for emergency information;
- Adequate space in home or apartment for a child. Children over five (5) of the opposite sex cannot share a room;
- Obtain physical from family physician;
- Have not had any major changes in your life within the past year at time of inquiry;
- All residents (14) fourteen years or older must pass the criminal background history and Childline abuse checks;
- All potential applicants will be reviewed in the central computer registry of Children and Youth Services to determine if they had any previous involvement with the Agency;
- Have a sufficient source of earned income; income must exceed monthly expenses;
- All applicants must supply a ten-year work history that runs concurrent from the time of inquiry;
- Both spouses/significant others must attend all pre-service trainings.
8. How do you decide whether or not a child is accepted for services?
Upon receiving a referral, CYS will complete an investigation of the family to gather more information. If the child is deemed to be at risk in the home following the completion of the investigation, then the family will be provided/accepted for services.
9. What happens if my child is truant from school?
York County CYS and the child’s school will work collaboratively to address truancy issues. For children ages 8-12, the school will provide written notice to the parents once a child is absent three days without a lawful excuse. A copy of the notice goes to CYS. At the sixth unexcused absence, the school will make a referral to CYS at which time a 60-day assessment period will begin. Within 60-days a determination will be made by CYS regarding the services necessary to resolve the truancy – ranging from no services, referral to community resources, acceptance for in-home services, and possible court involvement.
View the Truancy Policy for children ages 8-12
View Truancy Policy for children ages 13-16
10. I am a legal guardian for a child. Where can I go to receive assistance for the child?
Legal guardians needing financial assistance should contact their local County Assistance Office to inquire about possible services available, such as TANF cash and food stamps. Additional resources can also be found by contacting F.I.R.S.T. (1-800-673-2529).
York County Assistance Office: (717) 771-1100
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Does CYS provide financial assistance for problems with housing, utilities, etc?
- At what age can I leave my child home alone?
- What are common requests for service we get that we do not handle?
- What constitutes neglect?
- If I make a referral regarding a child, will my name be kept confidential?
- What services are available to help runaway or at-risk youth and their families?
- How do I become a foster parent?
- How do you decide whether or not a child is accepted for services?
- What happens if my child is truant from school?
- I am a legal guardian for a child. Where can I go to receive assistance for the child?
1. Does CYS provide financial assistance for problems with housing, utilities, etc?
If you are experiencing financial difficulties please refer to F.I.R.S.T. (1-800-673-2529) to find community resources that may be available to assist you.
2. At what age can I leave my child home alone?
There is no set legal age for children to be left home alone in the state of Pennsylvania. However, any child left unsupervised must possess the skills and maturity to handle the situation safely. If they are not mature enough and/or unable to maintain their safety, leaving a child unsupervised may be considered neglect.
View more about leaving children at home
3. What are common requests for service we get that we do not handle?
Our agency cannot provide services for counseling, parenting classes, lawyer services, bar association (legal rights), and custody matters.
4. What constitutes neglect?
There are several different types of abuse. They include sexual, physical, mental/emotional and neglect: Neglect cases can occur when a parent fails to provide for various physical needs, including adequate food, clothing or shelter. It can also occur when a parent fails to meet a child's basic needs for nurturing and affection. This is called emotional neglect. It can also reflect a parent's failure to provide for the child’s educational needs or medical needs and treatment.
Sexual abuse occurs when children are used for sexual gratification or are exposed to sexual activities. Sexual abuse includes oral sex, vaginal or anal penetration and child pornography when committed on a child by a perpetrator. It can also include kissing or fondling or any inappropriate touching, or even exposure to sexual activities.
Physical abuse occurs when a physical act of violence causes the child severe pain or significantly impairs the child’s functioning. Indicators of physical abuse include unexplained bruises, broken bones, or burn marks on a child. Shaken Baby Syndrome is a type of physical abuse caused by the violent shaking of an infant or young child resulting in possible brain damage, loss of hearing, or even death.
Emotional abuse renders a child chronically and severely anxious, agitated, depressed, socially withdrawn, or in reasonable fear that their safety is threatened. If may also seriously interfere with the child’s ability to accomplish age-appropriate developmental tasks.
If you suspect child abuse/neglect please call: 1-800-932-0313
5. If I make a referral regarding a child, will my name be kept confidential?
Under most circumstance, a referral sources name will be kept confidential. However there could be instances when abuse/neglect to a child lead to criminal charges. In these instances, the courts may request the referral source.
6. What services are available to help runaway or at-risk youth and their families?
There are many community services available to assist runaway youth and their families. Some services include Family Group Decision Making, out-patient counseling, strengthening families, and Youth Advocate. Additional resources can be found through F.I.R.S.T. (1-800-673-2529).
View the FGDM Brochure
7. How do I become a foster parent?
Those interested in seeking information about becoming a foster parent may call the agency’s resource unit at (717) 846-8496 or 1-800-729-9227.ext. 316 or 277. Basic requirements to become a foster parent include:
- Be at least 21 years old and a legal citizen of the United States;
- Applicant must currently possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and own a fully insured and inspected automobile;
- Proof of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance that covers fire and liability. All homes must be equipped with “land line” phone for emergency information;
- Adequate space in home or apartment for a child. Children over five (5) of the opposite sex cannot share a room;
- Obtain physical from family physician;
- Have not had any major changes in your life within the past year at time of inquiry;
- All residents (14) fourteen years or older must pass the criminal background history and Childline abuse checks;
- All potential applicants will be reviewed in the central computer registry of Children and Youth Services to determine if they had any previous involvement with the Agency;
- Have a sufficient source of earned income; income must exceed monthly expenses;
- All applicants must supply a ten-year work history that runs concurrent from the time of inquiry;
- Both spouses/significant others must attend all pre-service trainings.
8. How do you decide whether or not a child is accepted for services?
Upon receiving a referral, CYS will complete an investigation of the family to gather more information. If the child is deemed to be at risk in the home following the completion of the investigation, then the family will be provided/accepted for services.
9. What happens if my child is truant from school?
York County CYS and the child’s school will work collaboratively to address truancy issues. For children ages 8-12, the school will provide written notice to the parents once a child is absent three days without a lawful excuse. A copy of the notice goes to CYS. At the sixth unexcused absence, the school will make a referral to CYS at which time a 60-day assessment period will begin. Within 60-days a determination will be made by CYS regarding the services necessary to resolve the truancy – ranging from no services, referral to community resources, acceptance for in-home services, and possible court involvement.
View the Truancy Policy for children ages 8-12
View Truancy Policy for children ages 13-16
10. I am a legal guardian for a child. Where can I go to receive assistance for the child?
Legal guardians needing financial assistance should contact their local County Assistance Office to inquire about possible services available, such as TANF cash and food stamps. Additional resources can also be found by contacting F.I.R.S.T. (1-800-673-2529).
York County Assistance Office: (717) 771-1100