LA County to Implement Centralized Computer Systems Sharing Information Among Agencies in Hopes of Saving Abused Children’s Lives

Although not unique in this respect, Los Angelenos recognize that too many deaths of children from abandonment, abuse or neglect could have been – but weren’t – avoided, as a result of lack of communication between agencies.

Now, county officials are finally calling for sharing of information between county agencies, including potential red flags in criminal, domestic violence, educational, medical and psychological histories of family members.

Free availability of information is tempered by privacy concerns though.

While flags will be visible via computer, full data will not.

Social workers will have to request more detailed information directly from the agency in possession of the information sought. But they will at least know that there is something worth requesting and who has it.

The system is expected to take eighteen months to implement.

Read more in this Los Angeles Times article: Data-sharing system to curb child abuse is proposed by L.A. County supervisors.

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