![](\"http://www.marionkids.com/articles/uploads/19/Eric)
Executive Director
Providing child protective services is a challenging business.
\n"); document.write("While almost everyone agrees that children have a right to be protected from child abuse and neglect, many disagree on the best way to do that. When is it appropriate for children to be removed from their homes and their parents? When is it unnecessary? Is foster care helpful or harmful to kids? How do you balance the rights of parents to raise their children as they see fit, with the responsibility of society to ensure that all children are raised in a safe, stable environment?
\n"); document.write("Each case is different; the lines are rarely clear.
\n"); document.write("As a result, public opinion on child protective services tends to fall into one of two camps: either that agencies don’t do enough to help children and families or that they do too much and overstep their bounds.
\n"); document.write("I’ve worked in child protective services for over 26 years. Every day, together with the court, Marion County Children Services makes decisions that impact the lives of children and families. That’s the nature of the job. We are as objective as possible in making those decisions, following criteria established by state and federal law and relying on our training, knowledge, and experience.
\n"); document.write("In November of 2008, Marion County Children Services was re-accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA). This was quite an accomplishment.
\n"); document.write("We are proud of the fact that this agency is not just doing what the state says it has to do, and it’s not just meeting federal requirements. We are also voluntarily meeting standards that a private, not-for-profit organization says are ultimately in the best interest of children and families. And that’s what it is all about.
\n"); document.write("To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call our offices at 740-389-SAFE. For emergency situations after normal working hours, a caseworker is on call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, and can be reached by calling city or county law enforcement.
\n"); document.write("If you have questions about our agency, child abuse and neglect, foster care, or adoption, contact our community education specialist at 740-389-2317. We would be happy to send you information, meet with you to discuss concerns, or provide a speaker or program on issues related to child welfare.
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