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rs
Behind Closed Doo
ctor
Letter from the Dire
e for chicken
om e as Au nt Susie’s secret recip
crets. Some are as w ho les high school.
All families have se r’s crus h on your best friend in
as harmless as your
sis te glect lives
soup, and some are le. Th e se cr et of child abuse and ne
rr ib
crets are dark and te
But some family se th e sil en ce – behind closed door
s.
d th riv es in our com-
in the dark an ch ild abuse and neglect in
e se cr et s of of those
orkers confront th ildren are prisoners
Children services w ty, hu nd re ds of ch
stuff of
roughout our coun reaking – truly the
munity everyday. Th s th ey te ll ar e he ar tb
ey live and the storie cy is the only way
to safety.
secrets. The lives th ch ild re n, ou r ag en
t of these
nightmares. For mos
d safe
bo di es an d da m aged souls and fin
oken
We discover their br le ar n ho w to be children again. County Com
heal – to missioners
places for them to ers most dark corn
shed light into the Charles R.
nt to break th e sil en ce an d to . Please don’t Furmon
This report is mea ab us e and neglect flourish Gregory V.
e dark places w he re ch ild neighborhood. Jolivette
of you never see. Th or ar ea s or in someone else’s Donald L. D
rk corners exist on ly in po hood and
think that these da ev er y na tio na lit y, in every neighbor ixon
ed against children
of ur work-
Horrors are committ be hi nd clo se d doors, but we do. O
n’t know what goes
on ng hand Executive D
of every race. You do s ev er yd ay in ou r community. Worki irector
crisi
ren and families in
ers reach out to child er s, w e help heal the hurt. Michael A.
in hand with our co m m un ity pa rtn
is to help Fox
ou gh it w ill sh ock many. Our goal
eant to shock you –
al th ren and
This report is not m ow w ha t w e do and what the child
u to kn
r work. We want yo tter understanding
you understand ou th is re port promotes a be
munity face . W e ho pe al the hurt these
families in our com be co m e a pa rt of our efforts to help he
spires you to
of our work and in lp heal the hurt.
n ex pe rie nc e da ily. Together we can he
childre

Sincerely,

Michael A. Fox
Executive Director,
ren Services
Butler County Child al cases,
w in g pa ge s in vo lve real children, re
e follo and faces have been
t the children on th County. The names
P.S. The stories abou se fil es of Bu tle r
from the ca
and real experiences un fo rtu na te ly, just as they happ
ened.
cts are,
changed but the fa

Butler County Children Services Mission Statement

cting children by
Butler County Children Services (BCCS) is committed to prote
tion, we will partner with
strengthening and preserving families. Through open communica
and families we serve.
the community to ensure quality outcomes for the children
 shawn.
Hi, I’m De score d tw
o
s o cc e r. I
lay es
o ld , a n d I love to p t h e r e . Coach mak
r s d bee n
I’m 12 yea I w is h Mom ha , an d I ge
t
t u r d a y – k s m e u p
goals Sa He pic
to a ll t h e games. s o m e le f tovers for
sure I get save
e a t af t e r. I always is o f fi c e to day an d
something
to to h
C o ac h calle d me in t h g rade up –
I
r o t h e r. gm y m a
my little b p la y until I brin . I co uldn’t tell
cou ld n’t omew o r k
told me I y h a r d to do my h . I don’t hav
e
t s
’ re a ll t h s a g o
got a D. I mon om – but
r ic g o t c ut off two . I t o ld M
ct wo r k
him our ele s e e to d o my home
I can’t
any light.
e w a s r e ally high.
s h

Substan
ce abus
reason e is th
childre e #1
or abus n are n
ed. eglecte
d

Caseworker Notes: Behind Closed Doors

An allegation of neglect was made by Desh
awn’s school.
Deshawn’s attendance is good, but he wears
the same
dirty clothes every day. He doesn’t bathe unle
ss it’s
after gym or soccer practice. He never has lunc
h. His
grades have fallen drastically in the last few
months.
The school has tried to contact his mother, but
she never
returns calls. A worker went to the home to
investigate.
All the utilities had been disconnected – so
there was no
light, heat or water. There was rotting food
and garbage
throughout the house. Roaches were visible
everywhere.
The toilet was backed up, and there was sew
age in the
basement. Mother’s background check reve
aled a history
of substance abuse. Children Services placed
Deshawn
and his brother with a relative and are working
to stabi-
lize mom and reunify the family.
My name is Rose,

turned six.
My sister’s name is Anita, and we just
she follows
She’s a pain sometimes especially when
’t mind.
me around, but most of the time I don
ches
I make sure she stays close when Bob wat
his son
us. Mom works at night, and Bob and
alone
live down the street. I don’t like being
, and
with Bob. He wants us to sit close to him
lap. He
he really likes it when Anita sits on his
He took
gets real mad at us if we don’t sit still.
ta started
Anita’s favorite doll away tonight. Ani
The ef
king her
to cry and just kept on crying, and kic last a
fects
of sex
spanking ual ab
feet. I tried to get her to stop. He kept caselo
lifeti
m e. We
use
t room. ads an have l
her really hard and took her in the nex invest d have owered
igativ a specia
She just kept crying. high-q e unit
to con
lized
uality duct
sexual invest
abuse i g ations
allega into
tions.

Closed Doors
Caseworker Notes: Behind
A
in an allegation of abuse.
Children’s Hospital called ency
-old daughter to the emerg
mother brought her 6-year tent
ising on her bottom consis
room because of severe bru bru ising
n also revealed vaginal
with abuse. The examinatio en
. The mother told the childr
consistent with sexual abuse ldr en
neighbor watched her chi
services investigator that a The
ht, an d she dis cov ere d the bruising this morning.
last nig icated
the mother’s story. She ind
victim’s sister corroborated touch
have them sit on his lap or
that the neighbor liked “to ha d
, Rose revealed that she
them.” During the interview ealed
bor. A background check rev
been fondled by the neigh
of assault.
the neighbor had a history
 Hi, I’m Josh.
And I’m 9 year
s old.
Riding my bike
is the best! Mo
long as I can, st days I ride
but I’m always to the park. I
like this time home by dark – stay as
of [Link] gets I promised my
Joe, my mom’s dark too early. mo m. I don’t
boyfriend, fall I have to be ho
when I’m trying s asleep on th me before
to be real quie e couch. Someti
works real hard t – I make too me s, even
to pay the bill much noise. Mo
it better when s, and we should m sa ys Joe
it was just me be grateful. I
too much noise. and my mom. Jo liked
e gets real ma
d when I make

n
i l dre
h
e e p c
k the
t to o w of
w a n k n e r
t t
you mus ara
c
If y o u c h
a f e, d and .
s
g r ou n t hem
k n d
bac a rou
se
tho

Caseworker Notes:
Behind Closed Doo
rs
An allegation of ph
ysical abuse was re
a.m. from the school ceived at 11:33
. Josh’s teacher notic
the boy’s neck and ed a bruise on
sent him to the nurs
exam, severe shoe-s e. During the
haped bruises were
back. Josh told the fo und on Josh’s
Children Services In
was his fault, “I mad ve stigator that it
e too much noise, an
me with his work bo d Joe wupped
ots.” Josh was sent
Hospital. The exam to Children’s
revealed that Josh is
derweight and has severely un-
numerous prior inju
prolonged abuse— rie s, indicating
multiple fractured
of the right forearm rib s, spiral fracture
and a concussion. Th
check revealed that e background
Joe, mother’s boyfrie
nal history of domes nd, has a crimi-
tic violence and seve
allegations in other ral child abuse
counties.
 Hello, I’m Michael,

ar s ol d, an d I m is s my dad. I haven’t
I’m fifteen ye us a couple of years
a lo ng ti m e. He le ft
seen him in live
sa id it w as n’ t m y fault, but he couldn’t
ago. He t be tter when dad
e. M om di d a lo
with mom anymor e everyday. Now
e to ok he r m ed ic in
was here - sh r
ke s it so m e of th e time. I try to help he
she only ta lik es taking her pills.
n’ t th in k sh e
remember, but I do ty out of it. I make
ys sh e ge ts pr et
After a few da other and sister. I
n’ t hu rt m y lit tl e br
sure she does
he didn’t call back.
tried to call Dad, but

e
s i s on
es
illn s
m e nt a l
r e ason
eate
d ent
Untr r eval ct.
m o st p
d n egle
he an
of t d a b use
chil
for

Caseworker Notes: Behind Closed Doors

Hamilton PD called the Intake Line at 1 a.m. to report
physical abuse. The police responded to a disturbance
at a private residence. A mother and three children were
in the home. The mother was screaming at the children
and threatening them with a leather belt with a large
heavy buckle. The oldest boy, Michael was protecting
his younger sister and brother. The mother was uncoop-
erative and incoherent. The boy explained that she had
not taken her medicine for several weeks; the younger
children told police she had hit the oldest boy repeat-
edly. The life squad was called to transport mother to
the hospital for treatment. Children services placed the
children in foster care and are working to stabilize mom
and reunify the family.
 Butler County Children Services
Call: 513.887.4055 / 800.325.2685
the Hurt: Mail: 300 North Fair Avenue
You Can Help Heal Hamilton, Ohio 45011
Here’s How
t can last Fax: 513.887.4260
ica l sc ar s of ch ild abuse and neglec
The emotional and
ph ys ity can
u an d ev er y m em ber of our commun Visit: [Link]
ly yo of these horrors
a lifetime. Fortunate softening the affects
ytime,.
vi ta l ro le in
play an activ e an d
ity’s children and pr
eserve our
s A n
m m un
t U Day
Contac4 Hours a
ot ec t ou r co
and help us pr
w you can help…
families. Here’s ho 2
n you suspect it ,
Report abuse whe
certain. Be a Foster or A
even if you’re not doptive Parent
ns of abuse or
rs – if yo u se e an y of the following sig Foster and adop
Be our eyes and ea 5-2685. tive parents com
(5 13 ) 88 7- 40 55 or toll free at 1-800-32 of life. They can e from all walks
neglect – call us at stay-at-home, w
be single, marri
ed, employed or
ell-off or working
The Child: own your own class. You can
behavior home or live in
ch an ge s in be ha vior or extremes in and adoptive pa an ap artment. Foster
• Shows sudden change in rents provide a
d ab se nc es fro m school or a sudden children who ha
ve been abused
safe, stable hom
e to
• Unexplaine or neglected.
school performance oken bones,
ai ne d in ju rie s bu rns, bites, bruises, br Our children d
o not need perfe
• Unex pl need one or mor ct parents; they
black eyes, etc. e committed ad
ults willing to
urinary infections meet their need
• Frequent yeast or st in sex nurturing, stab
s and incorporat
e them into a
inappropriate intere le family.
• Unusual and age-
• Nightmares and
bedwetting Light up the da
ntal care rkness for a c
eded medical or de Be a Foster P hild:
• Is not receiving ne body odor arent
Is co ns ist en tly di rty and has severe
• age level
significantly below
• Height and weight for their age
Call: 1-800-792-
3854
rvision appropriate Or Visit: Butler
• Lacks adult supe CountyChildre
nd closed doors.
nSer [Link]
Help us see behi

Children Servic
2007 10/31/2008
2005 2006
2004 15611
2003 19486 16395
17252 17444 3895
15803 4266 4121
ting Line
Calls to Repor 3350 4478
2852
2399
2889 2875
Allegations 2953 1100
1808 2238 912
s 925
Investigation 915 894 3100
es by the Num

857 2372 2785

Served
Avg. Families * 2385
377
378
* 393
Served
Avg. Children * 393
* 188
of children
Avg. Number e home 269 282
e th *
placed outsid *
ads go
* 706
of children
a s e l o Avg. Number relatives 472 682
Our c every year. placed with 504
bers

683 645
up of Days a
Avg. Number stody 37 28
18
in this format
in Cu
Child Spends 67 55 55 * Data not maintained

tions
Finalized Adop
 Be a Volunt
We have ma
eer
n y meaningfu
l opportunit
ies to help a
You can: bused and n
eglected chil
dren or fam
ilies.
• Mentor or
Tutor
• Help with
special even
ts or outing
• Sort dona
tions
s There are so many ways you can help.
• Teach a se
lf-suffi ciency class
• Help recr
uit foster and a
doptive pare
• Be a “big” nts
b rother or “b
ig” sister
• Be a “gran
d parent”

We train e
very volun
backgroun teer after
d check. I completing
call 1-800 f you wan the applic
-792-3854 t to meet ation proc
to volunte other peo ess which
er today. p le who share includes a
Share you your desir criminal
r joy! Help e to help
children
He al the Hur ,
t.

Become a Foster or Adoptive

Parent
or Child Services Volunteer
Call:
1-800-792-3854
Or Visit:
ButlerCountyChildrenServices.o
rg

a g r e a t deal… to
a d y d o ne o uld like
alr e Servic e s w
You’ve Children
ty ing abus
rt
ed and
n re
f B u t l er Coun ers for suppo sing the Child
ff o xpay pas our
The sta tler County ta eir families by rosity enables glected
u
thank B children and
th ene d ne
e d 2 0 0 8 . Your g ocal abused an
neglect Levy in March than 7,000 l
s re
Service p r o tect mo
t o
agency each year.
children
 t S u m m aaurdityed)
men
cial State
(U n

Finan 0/2008
As of 6/3 41.43
2007 6,225,6
0.01
6,641,92
ANCE
ING BAL 3.91
7,611,59 3
For the first time in BEGINN 0.9
recent years 54.17 3,357,10 4
15,185,3
our agency will spen REVENU
E 2.51
9,444,33 6 938,358.9
d less than the 7.3 78,277.8
6
previous year. Next 1,883,96 9
year we will operate Levy 204,648.6 31.64
with significantly le Federal 11,985,3
ss and do it more State 26,718,3
02.73 6.61
efficiently. Our case ther 3,223,92
loads are smaller, Local & O 416,278.5
8
our direct service bu enue
dget is larger and we Total Rev 81.31
are spending more on Fu nd Balan
ce 27,134,5
n in
support services Reduct io
and family preservati ailable
on than ever before. ources Av 8.40
4,591,40 3
Total Res 6.3
We truly are doing m 0.32
9,077,98 7 1,590,57
ore with less and ITURES 1.5
doing it better. EXPEND 2,648,04 6.17
e Salaries 5,926,13 4
Employe inge Benefits 18.70 259,938.9
lo y e e Fr t it u t ions, 10,699,0 1
Em p
te C are (Paid
In s
p t ion) 523,841.6
8 10,275.7
Sub s t it u d A d o 5 9
.2
sidize tation 73,623.5
8 2,462,67 1
re, & Sub Transpor
Foster Ca od, Services, and dren 2 .5 4 368,247.4
Fo hil 3,619,85 2
Clothing, ed Expenses for C ed Services 492,222 .9 58.25
lat act 15,209,2
Health Re pplies, and Contr
Building, ses
Su 81.31 4.82
27,134,5 3,001,71
e n
Other Exp 6,225,64
1.43
e n d it u re s 0 7
Total Exp er 31, 2 0
B a la n c e , Decemb
und
Ending F
e ’re D o in g M o re with Less Unaudite
d
W
tter
and Doing It Be
2009.
pe rc en t th ro ugh budget year
ding by 12 unneeded
• Reduced spen e w ill cu t ne arly $2 million in
, w direct
the 2009 budget the savings into
• By the end of s, re di re ct in g
d staff position
administrative an .
ren and families ices –
services to child er va ti on and support serv
ding for famil y pr es taxpayer
• Increased spen la ti ve s sa fe ly while saving
place children w
it h re 08, this
enabling us to ac em en ts . As of October 20
paid pl ngs of
ll ar s by re du cing the cost of pe rc en t – an annualized savi
do sts by 12
d placement co
strategy reduce
$1 million. 20% through 20
09,
approximately pl ac em en ts by
of paid we serve.
reduce the cost for the children
• Our goal is to da rd of sa fe ty
ng a high stan
while maintaini s per worker.
m ore than 15 case
• Lowered case
lo ad s to no ound checks,
d qu al it y of criminal backgr
speed, access an d law
• Improved the ba ck gr ound checks an
ost extensive cr
im in al the state.
providing the m y ch il dr en se rvices agency in
to an
pport available
enforcement su
It’s All About Protecting Children
...
In the past year our agency has ma
de significant improvements that
of children and families while bei have had a direct impact on the live
ng a good steward of the taxpayer s
dollar.
• Significantly increased the num
ber of unannounced visits to che
children in our care and under our ck on
jurisdiction.
• Hired full time police officers to
work with and support our casew
orkers.
• Expanded agency hours to 24 hou
rs-a-day, with professional staff on-
site.
• Improved accountability for req
uired visits to children and familie
s.
• Awarded a 5-year federal grant
to expand the Family Drug Cou
rt program.
• Significantly improved outcom
es for children by meeting five out
federal performance standards. of six
• The first metro child welfare age
ncy in Ohio to join the Statewide
Child Welfare Information System Automated
(SACWIS), a statewide computer
for child welfare cases. system
• Increased the number of childre
n placed with relatives by five per
cent in 2007.
• Reduced caseworker turnover
to 10 percent – the lowest in a dec
ade.

o t h e C hildren
mise t r County
Our Pro f B u t l e
n d t h e People o
a
serve
h il d ren and ns
e s t t o p rote c t c
h e r c o n sideratio
o our b nd all o t
t o c o n t inue to d il d s a f e ty first a
ise d to ch
We prom a r e dedicate
families
. W e able.
y . n a n d account
nda r p e ith
are seco i c a d u t y to be o v is it a n d meet w
e publ re welco
me to
llars, do
ing
t h a t w e owe th c . Y o u a r t a x d o
We belie
ve e publi s of you
r s a r e o pen to th e g o o d steward
r jo bs better
.
Ou r d o o e t o b d o o u
omis g to
e. We pr tly strivin
us anytim ss, and constan
h le
more wit
 Kf^\k_\i#N\;fDXb\X;`]]\i\eZ\% Is there anything more satisfying
than saving a life?

Me Free”
“Foster Care SetButler County foster child
(excerpts) By Shawntel, a

my outlook
t gi ve ki ds w ha t they need. But
foster care doesn’ life completely.
My name is
Many think that chan ge d m y
foster family e I was 14.
is different. My d. I’ve be en in foster care sinc
year s ol
Shawntel. I’m 17 noticed was
fo r m e. Bu t the first thing I
did so many th in gs y foster
My foster family id al l th e tim e. It set me free. M
didn’t have to be
afra od grades.
that I was safe. I co nc en tr at e on school and get go
to
possible for me
parents made it g me in a
ca re sy st em ga ve me was placin
st gifts the foster rength
One of the greate ily br ou gh t th e love, joy and st
fam hers, and I
home. My foster ect myself and ot
Christian foster lo ve an d re sp
forgive
y life. I learned to ught me how to
of Christ into m most of al l, C hr is t ta
accept love. But portant.
learned how to an d w hy fo rgiveness is so im
hurt m e
the people who
sed. They have
fo st er fa m ily…I am so bles
ant gift of all is m y w to be
The most import ro le m od el s— they show me ho
my ere for me.
deeply. They are will always be th
influenced me so on . I kn ow th ey my
be a better pers ways meant to be
positive, how to th at th ey w er e al
the day, I believe
And at the end of ei r child.
as meant to be th
parents and I w t for the love
ld no t be here if it were no
ormed my life. I w ou become
Foster care transf ly ho pe th at m ore families will
real
y foster family. I at me.
and support of m ake a di ff erence – just look
u ca n m
foster parents. Yo

Call: 1-800-792-3854

Or Visit: [Link]
jiff;[\jfc:[e`_\9
2007-2008 Report to the Community

`m\GXi\ek 
˜ 9\XMfclek\\i
9\X=fjk\ifi8[fgk

[Link]
1-800-792-3854