Generel Protective Services - Number of reports and allegations in Pennsylvania

General Protective Services (GPS) are designed to identify and address concerns about a child's safety and well-being that do not meet Pennsylvania's statutory definition of child abuse. Unlike Child Protective Services (CPS), which investigates allegations of child abuse, GPS assesses concerns that may place a child at risk and works with families to connect them with services and supports intended to promote child safety, strengthen families, and support child well-being.[1] GPS concerns may include abandonment, behavioral health needs, educational neglect, homelessness, domestic violence, caregiver substance use or mental health challenges, inadequate supervision, or a family's inability to provide basic necessities.[2]

Tracking the number of GPS reports provides insight into the broader challenges affecting children and families in a community and can help identify where additional prevention and family support services may be needed. Although not all GPS reports result in ongoing services, trends in referrals may reflect changing economic conditions, housing instability, behavioral health needs, or other family stressors that increase the likelihood that children and families could benefit from support.[3,4] Examining GPS data alongside other indicators of child well-being can help policymakers, service providers, and communities better understand local needs and inform investments in prevention, early intervention, and family supports that strengthen families and may help reduce the need for more intensive child welfare intervention.[4]

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[1] Rizvi, M., Conners, G. P., King, K. C., Lopez, R. A., & Rabiner, J. (2022). Pennsylvania Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33351411/

[2] Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. (2020). Statewide General Protective Services (GPS) Referrals. https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dhs/documents/docs/publications/documents/forms-and-pubs-ocyf/OCYF%20Bulletin%203490-19-02%20Statewide%20General%20Protective%20Services%20GP%20Referrals_12202019.pdf

[3] Pennsylvania Code. 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3490: Protective Services. https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/055/chapter3490/chap3490toc.html

[4] Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2020). Protective Factors Approaches in Child Welfare. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau. https://kids.myflfamilies.com/documents/32081.pdf

General Protective Services (GPS) are designed to identify and address concerns about a child's safety and well-being that do not meet Pennsylvania's statutory definition of child abuse. Unlike Child Protective Services (CPS), which investigates allegations of child abuse, GPS assesses concerns that may place a child at risk and works with families to connect them with services and supports intended to promote child safety, strengthen families, and support child well-being.[1] GPS concerns may include abandonment, behavioral health needs, educational neglect, homelessness, domestic violence, caregiver substance use or mental health challenges, inadequate supervision, or a family's inability to provide basic necessities.[2]

Tracking the number of GPS reports provides insight into the broader challenges affecting children and families in a community and can help identify where additional prevention and family support services may be needed. Although not all GPS reports result in ongoing services, trends in referrals may reflect changing economic conditions, housing instability, behavioral health needs, or other family stressors that increase the likelihood that children and families could benefit from support.[3,4] Examining GPS data alongside other indicators of child well-being can help policymakers, service providers, and communities better understand local needs and inform investments in prevention, early intervention, and family supports that strengthen families and may help reduce the need for more intensive child welfare intervention.[4]

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[1] Rizvi, M., Conners, G. P., King, K. C., Lopez, R. A., & Rabiner, J. (2022). Pennsylvania Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33351411/

[2] Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. (2020). Statewide General Protective Services (GPS) Referrals. https://www.pa.gov/content/dam/copapwp-pagov/en/dhs/documents/docs/publications/documents/forms-and-pubs-ocyf/OCYF%20Bulletin%203490-19-02%20Statewide%20General%20Protective%20Services%20GP%20Referrals_12202019.pdf

[3] Pennsylvania Code. 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3490: Protective Services. https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/Display/pacode?file=/secure/pacode/data/055/chapter3490/chap3490toc.html

[4] Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2020). Protective Factors Approaches in Child Welfare. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children's Bureau. https://kids.myflfamilies.com/documents/32081.pdf