Community Partnership of the Ozarks hosts forum regarding child welfare in Greene County [Video]

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3)—The Community Partnership of the Ozarks hosted a forum on Thursday about the state of child welfare in Greene County.

”It is a difficult topic to discuss, and I think a lot of times it is easier to think this isn’t happening in our community,” says Laura Farmer with CASA of SW Missouri.

For the past 20 years, child abuse and neglect has been a red flag for Greene County. In 2023, 42 percent of the children involved in abuse and neglect were under three years old.

“Really making that call to action to organizations and community members, it really does take all of us to make a difference. And to move the needle and reduce the number of children entering into foster care due to abuse and neglect in our community,” says Farmer.

While there is still more to be done, the numbers over the years show …