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Children and Youth Services

Contact Children and Youth Services

Matthew Ernst
Director

Community Services Bld.
1610 Industrial Boulevard
Suite 200
Lewisburg, PA 17837

Phone: (570) 522-1330
Fax: (570) 522-1349

Plain English Glossary+

Mission Statement

The mission of Union County Children and Youth Services (UCCYS) is to protect the rights and welfare of the children of this Community, and to ensure that they have an opportunity for healthy growth and development, free from abuse and/or neglect.

Through the use of trauma-informed principles and family engagement practices, UCCYS will make every attempt to maintain the preservation of the family. If this is not possible due to child safety concerns, UCCYS an the family will develop and implement a collaborative plan that will consider what is in the best interest of the child, as it relates to their safety, well being, and permanency.

Department Services

Child Protective Services involves the investigation of child abuse by a parent, parent figure, designated caregiver, relative, school and child care staff or household member over 14 years of age. If you believe that a child is being physically, sexually or emotionally abused by one of the above, call the Agency, Emergency Services, or Childline. Suspected abuse by anyone not in the above categories, should be reported to the Police.

General Protective Services involves the assessment of referrals received by the Agency of general concerns such as; lack of supervision; neglect; substance abuse; domestic violence; inappropriate discipline ;truancy; and other non-abuse issues involving the care and welfare of children from infancy to seventeen years of age.

Foster Care Services involves Adjudication of Dependency by the Court, and placement out of the home of children who can no longer be maintained safely in their own homes. This placement may be in a Foster Home, a Kinship Caregiver Home or, for children with more severe Mental Health issues, placement in a Residential Treatment Facility.

How to report abuse

  • Anyone concerned about the care or welfare of a child in Union County may call the Agency at: (570) 522-1330 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Emergency calls may be made to Emergency Services at (570) 523-1113 or 911 evenings and weekends 
  • Calls may be made at any time to the PA Child Abuse Hotline, CHILDLINE, at (800) 932-0313.
    The Agency has an intake worker on duty at all time during working hours to take referrals or answer general questions.

Union County Children and Youth Services (UCCYS) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.