YORK, Pa. -- The troubled York County Office of Children, Youth and Family services receives its fourth provisional downgrade license
One more strike and the state takes over.
York County is taking action to prevent the office from losing its certification.
The county hired an outsider to take a look at the problems Children, Youth and Family Services faces and how to solve them, but the consultant is no stranger to what goes on there.
The York County Office of Children, Youth and Family Services is caught up in a perfect storm which threatens its certification.
Consultant Bev Mackereth said "twenty-three laws were passed. They've always had turnover. Their turnover in their directors has been just incredible, and turnover in staff of course is not good either."
The York County office which provides help to others, is getting some help from one of their own. Mackereth's background includes being a former state rep, a former caseworker and supervisor.
"I'm not going to be their supervisor, I'm going to be their consultant, and I'm going to share with them what I know, what works, in other places. I have a unique set of knowledge and skills that most don't have," Mackereth said.
The rising number of caseloads brought on by new laws to protect children and families from abuse has caused a few problems for CYFS as the office receives a fourth downgraded license.
"I would agree with you, had we been on number one, or gone to number one and by four, we had not seen progress, we'd be in trouble, but that's not the case at all here," Mackereth said.
Mackereth is confident her plan of action will make her mission to help prevent the office from losing its license to the state by November, successful.
"Supervisor training is critical, there being checks and balances, ensuring that every step where you're making a decision, a life and death decision in the life of a child, and family, that there is a check and balance," Mackereth said.
Mackereth said many of the young case workers haven't had the life experience to cope with the challenges of the job. The high turnover can lead to mistakes by new staff.
Mackereth is focusing on sharing her experience to improve training which she hopes will solve many of the agency's issues.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services spokesperson Kait Gillis said "the York County Office of Children, Youth, and Families has made a lot of progress. If the progress continues at this pace, the Department is confident that they will be restored to a full license."