child welfare

October 4, 2025 | 5:00 AM

Being suspected of child abuse can land you in this Pa. database — even without a conviction

Pennsylvania maintains a registry of people convicted and suspected of child abuse and neglect to protect kids. But people get added to the database without a chance to defend themselves.

By Sarah Boden/Spotlight PA

December 20, 2023 | 12:41 PM

Report finds Pa.’s child welfare system lacks consistent standards, medical expertise

By Sarah Boden/WESA

April 29, 2022 | 5:36 AM

An algorithm that screens for child neglect in one Pennsylvania county raises concerns

“A lot of people don’t know that it’s even being used. Families should have the right to have all of the information in their file.”

By Sally Ho and Garance Burke/The Associated Press

December 16, 2021 | 5:24 PM

Ex-director of child welfare agency sentenced to probation

The former director of a county welfare agency in Pennsylvania has been sentenced to probation and house arrest after she pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of children when she concealed abuse allegations to cut down a backlog of cases.

By The Associated Press

December 13, 2021 | 7:43 AM

Pa. State-of-Child Welfare report on Smart Talk

By Scott LaMar/WITF

October 14, 2021 | 4:26 PM

Child welfare agency ex-head pleads guilty in backlog case

The former head of a county welfare agency in northeastern Pennsylvania is guilty of endangering children by concealing abuse allegations to clear a backlog of cases. Joanne Van Saun pleaded guilty Tuesday before a county judge in Harrisburg to endangering the welfare of children and two counts of obstruction.

By The Associated Press

July 10, 2021 | 10:31 AM

Computer program aimed at predicting child abuse debated

There’s a critical moment in child welfare that happens when a phone screener receives a call from someone reporting child neglect or abuse.

By Kim Strong/York Daily Record

March 29, 2021 | 5:20 AM

Pandemic means far fewer eyes on kids’ welfare in Pennsylvania and other states

An Associated Press analysis of state data reveals that the coronavirus pandemic has ripped away several systemic safety nets for millions of Americans — many of them children.

By Sally Ho and Camille Fassett/The Associated Press

June 17, 2020 | 5:29 AM

State Supreme Court Justices say child welfare agency can’t mandate drug testing

“I think this is a great victory for the people against government intrusion."

By Mark Scolforo/The Associated Press

April 1, 2020 | 6:30 AM

Child welfare services worry about kids who have gone off the grid during coronavirus pandemic

“We will see a rise in the cases of child abuse and neglect when this is over."

By Charles Thompson/PennLive

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