First responders do not always wear uniforms and shiny badges; nor do they always rush to emergencies in fast vehicles with flashing lights and sirens blaring. Some first responders are soft-spoken people who lend an ear to a parent, offer resources to guardians, or accept a hug from a neglected child.
Sometimes they are people like Katie Brown, Jeryl Holbrook, Haven Phillips, Scott Whitaker and Jennifer White. This week’s spotlight shines on them- Clay County’s Child Protective Service Social Workers who are essential to the community and the families they serve.
Because their jobs take them into the community, in early June the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services officially designated protective services social workers as first responders. A NCDHHS press release said, “Child protective services and adult protective services are essential to protecting children and adults who are suspected or who have been found to be abused, neglected or exploited,” the press release said.
Clay County DSS Director Todd Goins said the first responder designation is important. “They are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” he said. “If we get a call and it meets certain criteria, they go and meet the families face-to-face. The designation allows them to receive personal protective equipment just like EMS and other first responders.”
Phillips, Child Protective Services Social Work Supervisor, explained. “Even with COVID, we have to go into the homes, but you can’t do this unless you go in,” she said. “We are taking personal protective equipment precautions for us, but also because we meet with families.”
Anyone who feels a child may be abused or neglected is mandated by law to report it. Sometimes people are reluctant to get involved, but confidentiality is assured unless a judge orders the records opened later. Others fear social services involvement means children are taken from their homes but that is not the goal.
“Our number one priority is the kids. By law, everyone is a reporter,” Phillips said. “It does not mean we will investigate everything. A lot of times, there’s already a crisis, but we can connect them to resources and be a support to families. A last resort is to take them away. That causes trauma for the family, something we never take lightly.”
When a report is made, strict legal guidelines determine whether an investigation is warranted. Brown, Whitaker or White investigate while Holbrook provides in-home services to share advice and resources with the adults in the home. Brown added, “We help keep children and families together.”
“Ultimately, we want children to stay with their families,” Phillips continued. “We work hard to reunify with the parents, if possible. If not them, we try to place them with other family members to be able to keep children together as a family unit. Our end goal is to preserve families. Many times grandparents or other family members step up to the plate and take care of the kids. They don’t get as much support as foster families but that helps so much.”
In 2019, Clay County’s child protective team had 224 reports, which resulted in more than 100 investigations. Clay County averages about 30 children in foster care. “It did go up to 37 during COVID because court was only held for emergency proceedings,” Phillips said. “Children not being in school has been a concern because they are not being visible. School personnel keep their eyes open and are often our best reporters.”
Child abuse and child neglect are defined differently. According to information from Prevent Child Abuse N.C., “child abuse can be defined as a non-accidental or substantial risk of injury or pattern of injuries to a child inflicted or allowed to be inflicted by a parent, guardian, caretaker, or custodian. Child abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse.” They defines neglect, ”the failure of a parent or other person with responsibility for the child to provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision such that the child’s health, safety and well-being are threatened with harm.”
In addition to reporting, foster homes and respite homes are needed. Hearts for Kids collects donations so children in foster care may participate in activities the foster parents may not be able to afford. Yet, Phillips reiterated the most important way to help is to report anything you feel is questionable.
Collectively, Clay County’s five child protective social workers have almost 50 years of experience. While some of them have worked in other counties, and even another state, most of their time has been in Clay County.
“They are all amazing and extra compassionate,” Goins said. “They go into incredibly stressful situations and then go home and take care of their own families. Going to court is another stressor. They have to testify about concerns and then they have to take care of their own during this stressful time.”
Philips agreed. “People are under an unprecedented amount of stress now,” she said. “It’s the climate, but every one of them handles it so well, even while worried about their families. They put the safety of the children first. We now have grant funds to offer mental health assistance to the social workers, too.”
Whitaker was not present for the interview, but the women all smiled when asked about their jobs. “I enjoy my job,” White said. “When you’re really busy, everybody pitches in and does your work to help you.”
Holbrook’s role as an in-home service is to form a relationship with families. “I connect them to resources to try to avoid going into foster care,” she said. “I get to know the family on a personal level. I had to file a non-secure on one family and he said in the end it helped him get the help he needed.”
Phillips added, “Being there to form that rapport with families is so important. We have good relationships with community partners in Clay County. We have really good resources available.”
Brown confirmed. “A lot of rewards are small in that little bits and pieces leave someone a little better than we found them. I like showing them small tools to overcome problems should they arise. I have had clients stop me in Walmart and want to share a story.”
Philips said, “Anytime we affect positive change, it’s rewarded. In some cases, caretakers reach out to me every few months to check on me. Some people think we’re just here to take their kids, but clients gain our trust.”
“We also have great supervisors,” Brown said. “Todd and Haven have been a great support for us. Doing this job, you need to feel the person in charge is willing to hear you.”
White nodded. “It’s a lot to keep up with, but I feel more supported here than the other counties I have worked,” she said.
Goins smiled. “Their hearts are in it. They’re caring and compassionate. The parents, grandparents and other caretakers are wonderful, too, and we could not do our jobs without them.”
Phillips ended, “You can’t do this long if you don’t have compassion.”
To make a report, call (828) 389-6301. After hours, call (828) 389-2256.