Date sent: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 22:50:53 -0500
From: judihahn@iac.net
Subject: Ohio Dept. of Human Services Rules -- NEW

Rule 5101:2-34-32 delineates PCSA requirements for assessments and investigations. In this case assessments is NOT tests. The education community is now calling tests assessments, and that terms refers not only to pen and paper tests, but also evaluations -- psychological/sociological, etc. In this case the Ohio DHS is talking about evaluations -- psychological/health/sociological. PCSAs are Public Child services agencies.

According to this rule, an assessment will be started "upon receipt of a REPORT of a child AT RISK OF ABUSE and neglect." The question that needs to be asked is how does one decide when a child is AT RISK OF ABUSE -- rather than being abused? If it is determined that a child is at risk of abuse the PCSA SHALL conduct a face-to-face interview with ALL adults residing in the home of the alleged child victim and observe the interaction of the alleged child victim and caretaker (note the word there -- not parent, but caretaker. Parents, did you know that in the eyes of the law you are a non-entity -- you are simply a caretaker?). They also interview ALL children residing in the home AND ANY PERSON IDENTIFIED AS POSSIBLE INFORMATION SOURCE to obtain relevant information regarding the risk. What is relevant information?

In order to obtain information this rule allows the PCSA to take photographs of the child's environment and securing a medical, and/or psychological examination (with the consent of the child OR parent OR guardian OR custodian OR with a court order). Please remember that in Pennsylvania the 11-year-old girls were given gynecological exams because the state determined that all 11-year-old girls were AT RISK OF BEING ABUSED.

Don't say it can't happen in Ohio. This Rule opens the door for it to happen!