Washoe County Social Services EXPANDS RESPONSE TO REPORTS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

RENO, Nevada, July 10, 2007. Beginning today, the community can make reports of child abuse and neglect through the Washoe County Social Services Department 24 hours a day. Social Services can also now initiate an immediate and direct response by a child protective services emergency response worker 24 hours a day.
“We see an average of about 375 investigations a month from phone calls and reports right now,” Mike Capello, Director of Social Services for Washoe County said. “There is a need for a more timely and effective response to reports of child abuse and neglect after hours so we expanded operational hours to respond directly to reports of child abuse and neglect 24 hours a day.” Prior to this, Social Services was only fully operational from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for emergency or high-risk cases.
Washoe County’s child protective services emergency response unit staff was doubled to cover the additional hours of operation. Reports of abuse and neglect can be made to 785-8600 at any time. If a child is in immediate danger, citizens should call 911.
This increase in the Department’s ability to receive calls and respond 24 hours a day is made possible through collaboration with the Crisis Call Center and the approval of additional funding by the Washoe County Board of County Commissioners.
The call is received at Washoe County Social Services until 10 p.m. and after that calls are automatically routed to the Crisis Call Center who then contact the on-call Social Services emergency response workers.
Any person who has reasonable cause to believe child abuse or neglect may be occurring or has occurred may report to Child Protective Services or a law enforcement agency. A report of suspected child abuse or neglect is only a request for an investigation. The person making the report does not need to prove or provide proof that abuse has or may have occurred. Investigation is the responsibility of Child Protective Services and/or law enforcement.
In Nevada, abuse or neglect of a child includes physical and/or mental non-accidental injury; sexual abuse or sexual exploitation; or negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child under age 18 caused or allowed by a person responsible for their welfare.
Neglect or maltreatment of a child occurs if a child has been abandoned, is without proper care, control and supervision or lacks; food, education, shelter, medical care or other care necessary for the well being of the child. This includes leaving young children unsupervised or alone, locked in or out of the house.
Some of the warning signs and symptoms of physical child abuse include cuts, bruises, welts in the shape of an object and resistance to going home. Emotional abuse includes signs of apathy, depression, hostility, and difficulty concentrating.
Phil Ulibarri, Development Coordinator, who spearheads child abuse prevention efforts through the Washoe County District Health Department, said the message to the public is consistent throughout the State – if child abuse is suspected, always report it, for the sake of the child. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
For more information on child abuse/neglect reporting or other social services in Washoe County visit the Washoe County website at www.washoecounty.us/socsrv.
For more detail on recognizing the warning signs and symptoms of the various types of child abuse, another good source of comprehensive information is PCA America’s website: www.preventchildabuse.org. Citizens may also contact Ulibarri at 328-2448 for information on how to get involved in a child abuse prevention program, coordinate a community event or participate in 2007-2008 prevention activities.