Carbon County’s Children and Youth Services will move into its new home in Lehighton as it kicks off Child Welfare Professionals Appreciation Week.

On Thursday, following the commissioners adopting the proclamation regarding the appreciation week, Commissioner Rocky Ahner announced that the department, currently located on the second floor of 76 Susquehanna St., Jim Thorpe, will be officially moving to the new location at 525 Iron St. on Monday.

“I think it’s a long time coming,” he said adding that he thinks the staff is excited about the move.

“For them to have a building that they have space to work, room to have people come in, I think that’s one of the biggest accomplishments that we did here at the county.”

The board commended Jill Geissinger, director of the department, and her staff for everything they do for the children of Carbon County.

Child abuse cases handled last year totaled approximately 1,700 and some claims were quite serious, including child abuse, neglect and more, Geissinger said.

“Luckily we had no fatalities last year, but one fatality this year,” she said, noting that the effects COVID had on the mental health of people has made it harder for the department.

Children and Youth’s budget increased by $2 million this year in part because of the new office, as well as increasing prevention services to families.

“We’re putting a lot of money into prevention,” she said. “Getting services in the home before there’s an issue, before there’s an accident, before there’s abuse and before the parents are not able to control the situation.”

Over the last three years, the numbers of placements have gone up approximately 79% because, Geissinger said, they want to make sure the children are safe and remove those who are in danger.

Foster care has been enhanced and nearly half the cases where placement is necessary is in relative care.

“We’re in the top 15% as far as keeping kids with family,” she said, adding that adoptions are also increasing. “Children are finding that forever home.”

The commissioners said that this department has one of the hardest jobs because it deals with abuse and neglect and sometimes people feel they aren’t doing enough.

“When somebody says to me that they’re not doing their job, I would have to say they’re wrong because they haven’t proven it,” Commissioner Rocky Ahner said, pointing out a recent complaint filed by a person claiming the department wasn’t doing what should be done. “These people work hard.”