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DSS division manager briefs board on rising child-abuse and dependency referrals and foster-care placements
Summary
Decorah Bowers, division manager for child and adult welfare at DSS, reported that in 2025 the department received 1,960 child-service referrals and accepted 1,418 (about 72%); she noted increases in abuse reports for children under 3 and a rise in teen dependency cases, plus 36 children placed out of county.
Decorah Bowers, division manager for child and adult welfare at the Union County Department of Social Services, gave a detailed overview of the department’s child- and adult-services work, data trends and operational needs.
Bowers said that in 2025 the department received 1,960 child-service referrals and accepted 1,418 for investigation, an acceptance rate of roughly 72 percent consistent with state policy. She said 64 percent of accepted child-service reports were for neglect and 34 percent…
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