From the CCDJFS Director’s Corner

The following is the first in a series about the complexities of child welfare and the work being done by the outstanding staff at the Champaign County Department of Job and Family Services (CCDJFS). Our series will include blogs as well as videos. We will be highlighting the perks and responsibilities of working in child welfare, testimonials, and so much more. This is designed to be a behind-the-scenes look into what child protective services is really like.  
 
The protective services team at CCDJFS has over 100 combined years of experience in child protective services. Our caseworkers worked tirelessly in 2022, providing ongoing services to over 50 different families and completing 188 assessments/investigations. They also provide services to children and families upon request of the caregiver/custodian. CCDJFS caseworkers have vast knowledge of community resources and can connect families to specific services that will meet their needs.  

March is Social Work Month. Social work is a quickly growing career field, with the profession expected to grow by twelve percent by 2030. CCDJFS has been excited to offer opportunities for local high school students to learn more about a profession in child protection and to employ such dedicated child protective services staff. We appreciate our social services staff and the work they do.  
 
Please join us for a community showing of The Super Mario Brothers Movie on April 6, 2023, in honor of April being Child Abuse Prevention Month and take a moment to meet some of our caseworkers. Also, remember to Wear Blue on April 12, 2023. Follow our Facebook page and share your selfie for the day using #OhioWearsBlue.  
 
I hope you follow us in the coming months to learn more about the work being done in our community by your local child protective services team. ​​

To report a concern about a child or senior citizen, call 937-484-1500 during regular business hours (Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm) and ask to speak to the Children Services Intake. To make a report on holidays or after hours, contact the Champaign County Dispatch Center at 937-653-3409 and ask that the on-call children services worker be paged. 
 
If you believe a child is in immediate danger of serious harm, call 911. ​