Franklin County Children Services Mission

The mission of Franklin County Children Services is to provide culturally competent protection, placement, prevention, permanency, and advocacy services for families and children so they can live and grow in safe, stable, permanent homes.

Children Services' vision and principles of service are:

• Children and youth have a right to a safe and secure environment.
• Parents have the primary responsibility for their children and are partners with Children Services in helping children and youth.
• Children and youth should be raised in a family; priority is given to protection within and preservation of families.
• Services are provided so that differing cultural and ethnic needs and backgrounds are recognized and addressed.
• Relationships with clients and service providers are built and sustained, and client confidentiality is respected.
• Case plans are individualized and outcome focused with the purpose of giving parents every chance to succeed.
• Placement of children and youth outside of their home occurs only when it is required to ensure their protection or adequate treatment.
• When out of home placement is required, it will be in the least restrictive setting that meets the child's needs. The placement will be as close to the child's home as possible, preferably in their own neighborhood, and outside of Franklin County only when special needs require it.
• Every child in the permanent custody of Children Services is adoptable.
• Collaboration and privatization of services with community agencies will occur whenever effectiveness and quality can be improved or maintained and costs reduced.
• The Board and staff are accountable for and work for continuing improvements in productivity, both in effectiveness and in efficiency, to assure the economical use of resources.
• Children Services supports the community's efforts to prevent child abuse, neglect, dependency, and behavior problems through advocacy and collaborative efforts.