About

Dauphin County Social Services for Children and Youth (DCSSC&Y) is the County's public agency mandated by state and federal law to protect children from abuse and neglect. It provides a wide range of child protective and supportive services - through a network of contracted agencies - to children and families in Dauphin County. It is an agency committed to providing the highest quality of service to the victims of child abuse/neglect and their families. Above and beyond that commitment is our belief that "prevention efforts" will create the strongest foundation for the future well-being of our children, families, and community. To that end, we continue to embrace and support numerous community efforts to assist children and families before they ever enter official Children and Youth services.

While our overall goal is simple - to protect children from abuse and neglect, accomplishing that goal is much more complex and challenging. We recognize that successfully meeting our goal can only be accomplished in partnership with families, communities, and other child serving systems.

Clearly caring for our most vulnerable residents, abused and neglected children, is a monumental task. This task calls for the commitment and enthusiasm found in the Agency's dedicated, professional staff. Their caring, selfless support of children and families is the backbone of our efforts.

On a local level, the Agency operates under the direct supervision of the Dauphin County Human Services Director and the County Board of Commissioners. Guidance and direction is also provided by the Citizens' Advisory Board and the Juvenile Dependency/Orphans' Court Judge.

On a more global level, the Agency and its staff must follow guidelines/oversight from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare - Office of Children, Youth, and Families (OCYF) and the laws governing child welfare services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. OCYF conducts annual inspections of all child welfare agencies in the commonwealth, licensing those found to be in compliance with service expectations. 

DCSSC&Y is guided by three goals established by the Commonwealth for all child welfare agencies statewide: 

  1. To prevent child abuse, neglect, and exploitation
  2. To ensure all abused, neglected, or other dependent children are protected from further abuse and neglect through Foster Parenting
  3. To provide for the well-being of children in substitute care