2009 News

July 29, 2009

Bucks County Selected As Pilot For New Child Placement Program

Late last week, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania officials notified the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas and the Bucks County Children & Youth Social Services Agency that Bucks County has been selected as a Phase Two Permanency Practice Initiative (PPI) county. This decision was made through a process that included a review from the PPI Oversight Team, the Office of Children, Youth & Families Deputy Secretary Richard Gold, and Supreme Court Justice Max Baer.

“This will be yet another new venture our county agency is undertaking along with safety assessment protocols,” noted Bucks County Children & Youth Social Services Agency Director Lynne Kallus-Rainey. “I believe we are moving in a progressive direction relative to dependency issues.”

The first course of training (Family Finding) for the child placement program will begin shortly. Angelo Santore, the judicial analyst assigned to Bucks County, will solidify this training and visit the county to monitor its progress. During a follow-up visit, Mr. Angelo will further explain the PPI elements and begin the process of securing any additional resources the county may need.

For more information about the wide array of services offered by the Bucks County Children & Youth Social Services Agency, please visit the official county Web site, www.BucksCounty.org.