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DCS official outlines removal‑diversion pilot, urges schools to expand internet/body‑safety outreach
Summary
A Department of Child Services representative described a pilot 'removal‑diversion' team to keep children safely at home during crises, raised concerns about online exploitation (referred to as group '764') and urged coordination with local child‑advocacy and school partners.
Representatives from the Department of Child Services (DCS) told the advisory board that Marshall County is slated to participate in a DCS pilot program—described as a removal‑diversion (or diversion) team—intended to respond during family crises with an aim of avoiding child removal when safe alternatives exist.
The DCS speaker said the pilot is moving toward internal implementation and emphasized confidentiality and the need for reliable phone coverage during crises, noting the approach represents a shift from a historically removal‑first posture toward trying more in‑home interventions when appropriate.
The official highlighted gaps in local coordination: the county lacks an active, appropriately sized multi‑disciplinary team (MDT) and has limited child fatality review structures. The speaker said they are working with local partners to convene a crisis response team and to ensure law enforcement, prosecutors and child‑welfare staff better coordinate around forensic and follow‑up steps.
On prevention, DCS urged schools to increase body‑safety and internet‑safety training. The official raised concerns about an online exploitation group referenced in the meeting as "764," described as operating on platforms such as Roblox and Discord and targeting children, sometimes by exploiting images or encouraging self‑harm; the speaker said federal partners have been involved and called for more local education and referrals to the KC Center (local child advocacy center).
DCS also announced community outreach plans: April is abuse‑prevention month, the speaker noted, and the county will host a community carnival this weekend with Geminus as a partner; a foster‑parent appreciation event was scheduled for May 9 at Centennial Park as part of ongoing recruitment efforts.
The DCS speaker asked the board to share identified gaps (MDT membership, child fatality review and crisis team contacts) and to help coordinate requests for training and school access. Board members offered to follow up with the prosecutor’s office and other partners to improve multidisciplinary coordination.
