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2024 Scioto CPS Statistical Review

Updated: Sep 25



Scioto County Children Services continues to make slow and steady progress since the merger with Job and Family Services in July 2022. Many challenges still exist for the agency as they continue to move forward and improve services. Recruitment and retention of staff remains the most significant obstacle to overcome, but things do appear to be improving in that area.


In looking at statistics from January to August 2024, you can see how busy the CPS staff is.

Scioto County Children Services has taken 1412 referrals so far this year, averaging 177 referrals monthly. However, February spiked to 217 referrals, while June dropped to 145. It is not uncommon to see summer numbers reduce due to school being out, but the February increase really has no explanation.


The types of cases remain consistent with the leading type being neglect, followed by physical

abuse, then sexual abuse. So far this year, CPS has had 621 cases of neglect, 433 cases of physical abuse, and 158 cases of sexual abuse. It is disheartening to think about these numbers and the individual lives they represent. One case of child abuse in any category, is too many.


CPS has been observing the number of children in custody gradually reduce from the original

number 407 at the time of the merger, to 218 at the end of August 2024. That is a 53.5%

reduction. That is a tremendous accomplishment for the agency and the Scioto County

Prosecutor’s team of assistant prosecutors who are 100% dedicated to CPS cases. While we

celebrate the number reducing, it needs to be made clear that the goal is not to reach a magic

number, but rather, the goal is to keep kids safe, regardless of what that number is. There was a large backlog of cases that existed at the beginning of the merger and for the last 2 years, those cases have been processed and worked through the court system, reducing that number.


The reduction in the number of children in custody is a collective result of the efforts of the CPS caseworkers/supervisors, the assistant prosecutors/prosecutor, and the juvenile court system. It has truly been a group effort. One number that we haven’t discussed is the total number of children served by CPS this year. This number is not about just the children in custody, but this number reflects all children that have been served in some way through the agency. That could mean services CPS provides directly or indirectly, as well as referrals to community partners for other programs and services. CPS has served 3,130 children so far in 2024. That number represents children’s lives that have been touched by CPS in some way. The CPS staff takes great pride in assisting those children and families.


As an agency, CPS continues to move forward, focusing on improving services provided to the children of Scioto County. There remains a lot to accomplish, but we are heading in the right direction. We continue to move that mountain, one rock at a time.

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