Assessing Ohio CPS Screening Guidelines for Sexual Abuse

THE BOTTOM LINE, UP FRONT

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By December 31, 2025, the second biennial county memorandum of understanding (MOU) for addressing child abuse in each of Ohio's 88 counties is to be reviewed, updated, signed by county partners, and approved by resolution of county commissioners.

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The MOU is governed by state and federal laws and regulations and identifies county public children services agencies (PCSAs) as lead agencies providing screening services using Ohio Child Protective Services Screening Guidelines.

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The Screening Guidelines were independently assessed with current PCSA worker manuals that are not updated to reflect the 2023 Ohio Revised Code definition of abused child as including victims of disseminating materials or performances that are harmful to juveniles.

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The Screening Guidelines promote highly concerning screen-in and screen-out example referrals of child sexual abuse. Referrals involving child pornography would seem to have very high barriers of acceptance while those involving rape may be refused. These examples are promoted for CPS screening decisions statewide.

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The Screening Guidelines and county MOUs should be very carefully reviewed and updated by all partners to avoid unwitting approval of screening that places ALL of Ohio children at risk of sexual abuse.