Who is responsible for continuously assessing and investigating the safety and wellbeing of children in Pennsylvania?

The responsibility for continuously assessing and investigating the safety and wellbeing of children in Pennsylvania rests with county children and youth agencies. These agencies are specifically established to protect children from abuse and neglect, ensuring that at-risk youth receive the necessary interventions and support.

Each county has its own children and youth agency that handles reports of suspected child abuse and neglect and conducts investigations to determine the safety of the child and the family's circumstances. This system is crucial for providing timely and appropriate responses to potential child safety concerns and is a key component of the state's efforts to uphold children's welfare.

In contrast, the state health department focuses on broader public health issues rather than child protective services, the family court system addresses legal matters relating to family law but does not conduct safety assessments, and local school districts primarily focus on educational needs rather than child welfare assessments.