News
Bell County offering incentives for CPS investigators
Monday, 04 June 2012 by Terryn Kelly
Bell County is currently experiencing a shortage of child protective services investigators. Each case that goes unheard, may lead to serious danger for the children involved. The state is now offering incentives for people who are interested in applying for the position.
"The base salary for a CPS investigator in Bell County is $2664.08," said Media Specialist for Region 7 with the Department of Family and Protective Services Julie Moody. "There is currently a 6.8 percent increase for those choosing to work in Bell County. Applicants must have graduated from a four-year college or university."
For more information about the job, one can visit the website at www.dfps.state.tx.us and click on the jobs link.
The mistreatment of children should always be voiced early, in order to remove the child from danger and to safety. Last year, 231 children died in the state of Texas due to the carelessness of either their parent or a guardian.
"Child abuse is something that should never occur but it does," Moody said. "It's important if someone suspects child abuse or neglect to report it so there is a chance to help the child and family. If we do not know about a child we cannot help them."
Although April was child abuse prevention month, Moody thinks it should be every month, because abuse happens often. Others need to be aware of what could be going on right in front of their faces, or possibly next door.
"The most important thing about prevention is for anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect to call the hotline at 1-800-252-5400," Moody said. "Often victims of abuse do not have a voice so it may be up to others to speak up for them. Many times children are too young to know or fully understand what is happening."
For the kids who are abused but are too afraid to speak to someone about it, Moody had some advice for them, as well as those who may have witnessed a child being mistreated.
"Seek out help and support, to tell someone like a teacher or someone else they trust and another adult they trust and disclose what is happening," Moody said." If you are told by a victim, do not judge ... remain calm and try and comfort the child and let them know whatever happened is not their fault. There is help out there, they are not alone."
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