TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas agency employs dozens of unlicensed workers to help investigate suspected child abuse claims, but the agency says those workers receive special training and are there to assist licensed employees.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the Department for Children and Families has been using the workers, called special investigators, in addition to state-licensed social workers.
DCF says special investigators are required to have a high school diploma, a year of experience and undergo special training.
DCF spokeswoman Theresa Freed says the agency has 71 special investigators and 378 social workers. The state's jobs board says a special investigator's job includes assisting in investigating and assessing child abuse and neglect reports.
The salary for a social worker is $18.26 an hour, while special investigators make $15.75 an hour.
© Associated Press
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