The Missouri Department Of Social Service’s Children’s Division is in charge of investigating accusations of
child abuse and neglect. But, according to the Springfield News-Leader, the agency is short of money and people. So short that the newspaper says the head of the Children’s Division sent out a memo last summer ordering staff to stop any abuse or neglect investigations that take longer than 90 days. Critics say this means a lot of abused and neglected kids in Missouri will continue to be abused and neglected.
In Missouri and around the country, private agencies are taking up the slack as state child welfare agencies are short of personnel and money. But abuse and neglect allegations are increasing. In 2008, the Children’s Division in Missouri fielded 50,500 complaints of neglect and abuse. By 2012, those complaints had jumped to 62,500.
http://fox2now.com/2014/01/18/battling-child-abuse-and-neglect-in-missouri/
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