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
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Four arrested for illegal activity on Kickapoo Reservation
Atchison apt fire claim's toddler's life, injures others
Two search warrants, two Horton homes, two arrests
Sabetha woman arrested in business burglary
Effingham teen facing child sex crimes charges
Document forgery alleged in ATCO's Walnut Township
Two Brown Co officers honored for their bravery
Whiting woman pleads to theft of fire dept. funds
Flags across KS to fly half-staff Sunday
Severe storms reported Tuesday in NE KS
Two men arrested in Jackson Co for distribute of meth
Atchison man nabbed for neighbor's 4 wheeler theft
Winning lottery ticket sold in Falls City about to expire
Meriden man bound over on rape charge
Tornado damage surveyed in NE KS
Beef Barn replacement planned in Jefferson Co
KS replacement plates see long wait times
LATEST STORIES
Local judge files for re-election
Wetmore man arrested on child sex-related charge
Planned outage for Brown-Atchison Electric Tuesday
KS Courts: those affected by past cyber attack being contacted
Atchison apt fire claim's toddler's life, injures others
Falls City Education Assn awards nearly $39K in scholarships
Richardson Co Commission approves Sheriff's Dept items
Latest Brown, Doniphan Co filings