PRINTER'S NO. 3990
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
905
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY PETRARCA, BOBACK, READSHAW, KINSEY, DeLUCA, ROZZI,
FREEMAN, HOWARD, SCHWEYER, SANCHEZ, CIRESI, OTTEN, YOUNGBLOOD
AND DEASY, JUNE 23, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
PREPAREDNESS, JUNE 23, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Governor to classify child welfare workers and
service providers as level 1 emergency responders.
WHEREAS, The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented
challenges for our health and human services systems in serving
our most vulnerable families, children and youth; and
WHEREAS, The present crisis has prevented child welfare
workers and service providers from making face-to-face
connections with those they serve, which is a critical component
of their work; and
WHEREAS, Limited in-person contact is particularly troubling
for work in child welfare, including child protective services,
foster care, transitional living for older youth and adoption;
and
WHEREAS, When child welfare service providers are limited in
their ability to meet with families directly in their homes or
provider offices, the effectiveness of critical services
designed to ensure child safety and help families address
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barriers to successful reunification is compromised; and
WHEREAS, Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting
of suspected child maltreatment has declined; and
WHEREAS, According to the Department of Human Services, calls
to ChildLine have decreased by 50% since schools shuttered and
children were required to stay home; and
WHEREAS, Statistically, this decline is not indicative of a
decline in rates of abuse or neglect; and
WHEREAS, Instead, higher stress levels of parents and
caregivers from being at home all day with children, juggling
work and being stand-in teachers, lack of support systems and
higher rates of unemployment and poverty can cause higher rates
of abuse and neglect; and
WHEREAS, While some allegations of child abuse and neglect
continue to be reported, the investigation practices have been
modified; and
WHEREAS, County workers have limited face-to-face contact
unless the child abuse and neglect reports require it; and
WHEREAS, This new normal has made evident that child welfare
workers and service providers working with children, youth and
families are critical and essential employees and play a vital
role in assisting child welfare and juvenile justice agencies in
maintaining the safety and well-being of our children and youth;
and
WHEREAS, These essential services help keep families intact,
assist with successful reunification or permanency preparation
and ensure that our most vulnerable can thrive even through
difficult situations; and
WHEREAS, As stay-at-home orders are lifted and we resume some
normalcy, it is important to recognize that access to personal
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protective equipment(PPE) for those who serve one of our most
vulnerable populations is critical; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, obtaining sufficient PPE for child
welfare staff and service providers has been very difficult; and
WHEREAS, It is critical to do all within our power to ensure
that our child welfare workers and service providers have the
tools and equipment necessary to resume face-to-face visits in
order to avoid tragedies such as serious maltreatment and child
fatalities; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Governor
to classify child welfare workers and service providers as level
1 emergency responders and, thus, grant them greater access to
PPE; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize that
child welfare workers and service providers are critical and
essential employees who play a vital role in assisting child
welfare and juvenile justice agencies in maintaining the safety
and well-being of one of our most vulnerable populations, our
children and youth.
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