Children & Youth Agency

If you are interested in viewing the CYA Needs Based Budget for 2022-2023, click here.

Masking of Children in Schools

 

Please see the letter from DHS/OCYF (link above) that was issued on September 28, 2021, to address the issue of mask wearing in schools.


School districts are following the masking requirement issued by the Department of Health.


Mask wearing is not considered child abuse.


Parental concerns about masking in schools should be directed to your school district personnel . They can address parental concerns and provide information about their masking policy and option to obtain a masking exemption. School districts policies and procedures vary.

Effective Monday, September 20, 2021:

 

As part of our continued efforts to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), all visitors over age 2 are strongly encouraged to wear a mask, socially distance and use hand sanitizer.

If you are ill with a fever, cough or flu like symptoms, please refrain from entering our offices.  Please call 717-299-7925 to speak with your caseworker or someone who can assist you.

 

If you are reporting a case of child abuse and neglect, please consider calling ChildLine directly at 1-800-932-0313.

 

If you need assistance, please call

717-299-7925.


About Us

The Lancaster County Children and Youth Social Service Agency is a public child welfare agency mandated to provide protection services to Lancaster County's children and their families. The Agency investigates all reports of child abuse and neglect and provides intervention services to address safety threats and risk factors and stabilize the family. The Agency's mission is to address the safety, permanency and well-being of children and youth at risk of abuse and neglect.

Referrals & Reports

Referrals can be made to the agency by calling 717-299-7925 during business hours. To report abuse, call 1-800-932-0313 toll free or visit https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis anytime.

If a crisis occurs after business hours, a standby case worker is available by calling the Communication Center at 717-293-7724. If it is a situation involving a life-threatening emergency, please call 911.


Foster Parent/Resource Parent

 

The goal of foster care is to provide, temporarily, for the physical, emotional, and social needs of children and youth in a “substitute” family setting until the biological family can be reunited.

 

In Lancaster County, resource parents are urgently needed for sibling groups and teenagers. 

 

For questions or more information on becoming a resource parent, please contact Natasha Hoskins by emailing NHoskins@co.lancaster.pa.us or calling (717) 606-5486.