(KODE/KSNF) — Child welfare is front in center in a new Missouri task force.
18 experts from around the state are tasked with assessing safety threats, child vulnerability, and parental or caretaker protective capacity. That includes representatives from southwest Missouri like Judge Joe Hensley, State Sen. Jill Carter, Joplin school counselor Shelby Trimble, and Newton County Sheriff Matt Stewart.
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"Sometimes we get very focused on the offender, which has to be a focus and holding these folks that perpetrate on kids accountable for their actions. But we can't forget about our victim children and making sure that they're getting the resources they need to make sure they can recover from that trauma and move on in life," said Sheriff Stewart.
Other members of the task force include workers from the juvenile system, foster care representatives, and the Missouri State Courts Administrator.
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