| Children and Youth Services is the government agency (usually county based) that investigates child abuse. In most places the agency is understaffed and overworked, and is not appreciated very much. (Why? They sometimes take the children of the people they have to come into contact with the most.) Caseworkers or investigators are usually social workers with idealism, and try to make a difference in an area of society that most would rather forget about.
CYS is also often the target of hacks (journalists) who search for bad cases, that don't get worked on fast enough to avoid tragic consequences. Because what is more anger inducing (this equals ratings) than the unprevented death of a child? Usually after such exposés, the public calls for change with righteous anger, but then forgets about it. Showing how people say they value something, yet ignore it never the less. | 
