A. The joint investigation agreements (verbal or written) have been identified in Taylor County as listed:
Taylor County Child Protective Services has working agreements with the following entities that share the responsibility of investigating and providing services for child abuse and neglect:
        Dyess Air Force Base
        Juvenile Probation
        All local law enforcement agencies
        Harmony Family Services
        Noah Project

The Child Advocacy Center has agency agreements for investigations, facility use, goal setting and adhering to established protocol with the following:
        Abilene Police Department
        Taylor County Sheriff’s Department
        Taylor County District Attorney’s Office
        Taylor County Judge
        Child Protective Services
        Dyess OSI
        CVCC (Crime Victims Crisis Center)
Local pediatricians have an agreement with the Headstart Program to provide physical screenings for children enrolled in the Headstart Program.
The Health department has several grant specific agreements.

B. The identified resources that are currently available for abused children in Taylor County are:
        Abilene Psychiatric Center
        Child Advocacy Center
        NOAH Project
        Foster Parents
        Hope for Tomorrow
        CPS certified
        Bair Foundation
        Christian Homes of Abilene
        Harmony Family Services
        Hendrick Home for Children
        Hope Haven
        High Sky Children’s Ranch
        Ben Richey Boys Ranch
        Salvation Army
        Harmony Family Services
        InfoAbilene.com
        Ben Richey Ranch
        Christian Homes of Abilene
        Centers for Families (Midland)
        Children adopted from abused and neglected backgrounds

C. Taylor County has supportive services as listed below:
        Juvenile Justice Association
        Attorneys and Guardian Ad Litems
        Crime Victims Crisis Center
        Child Abuse Prevention Coalition
        Domestic Relations Office
        Victims Assistance Coordinator (D.A.’s Office, Juvenile Probation & Adult Probation)
        Hospital Social Service Worker
        United Way
        Child Advocacy Center Administrative Board and Case Review Teams
        CRCG (Community Resource Coordination Group)
        Community Management Team (MHMR)
        PATH-Project, Partners Resource Network
        Parents Anonymous – Take Time for Kids
        FRIENDS, (795-5860)
        House that Kerry Built
        Licensed Child Care Centers (www.txchildcaresearch.org) -- (See Appendix E)

D. Barriers to cooperation between agencies have been identified as:
        Availability of county-wide services
        Lack of knowledge and technology
        "Turfism"
        Competition for funding/shrinking dollars
        Privacy Act/Confidentiality
        High case loads
        Lack of communication/education
        Time constraints
        "Passing the buck"

E. Identified barriers to resource development are:
        Scarce resources in rural areas
        Competition between agencies (programs and money)
        Public resistance to bureaucracy
        Trend to self-sufficiency
        Lack of public awareness/understanding of the problem
        Financial
        Lack of responsibility ("quick-fix" attitude)
        History of duplicating services

F. Additional resources needed:
        MH-MR Services for Child
        Pediatric Psychiatrist (14 yrs. and older)
        Residential and In-Home Treatment Facility
        First-time parent mentoring program
        Child Care Facilities (affordable and 24-hr. care)
        Counseling and Residential Treatment for juvenile perpetrators
        Transitional Services for Older Youth
        Additional sources for foster homes