Response to a Suspected Report
What Happens After a Report is Made?
When a report of suspected child abuse or neglect is made CPS staff first determine if the situation described meets the legal definition of abuse and neglect. If the report does not meet the definition then it is screened out. If the report does meet the definition then it is assigned to a worker who completes an initial assessment.
The Investigation
Department policy requires that an initial assessment be initiated within 2 hours if the report indicates that a child is in present danger. If the child is in imminent danger then the state statute requires a face to face contact 72 hours of the receipt of the report. In all other situations the statute requires a face to face contact within 14 days.
During the investigation the CPS worker will interview the child, the child,s siblings if there are any, the parents or caretakers, the alleged abuser and any other persons having information about the suspected abuse.
Within 30 days from the receipt of the report the worker will make a finding about:
- whether or not maltreatment occurred;
- the degree of risk of future maltreatment; and,
- whether the child is safe
If the degree of risk is high and/or the child is unsafe then a case for CPS will be opened.
Services Provided to the Family
When a case is opened the worker will provide or arrange for services which enable the parents to provide appropriate care to their child thereby insuring that the child is safe and the risk of maltreatment is substantially reduced.
When Cases Go to Court
Although most cases of child abuse and neglect do not require court involvement, sometimes it is necessary to go to court in order to protect a child. The Department initiates court involvement when a child is unsafe and can not be protected in their home.
In these cases there is a request for a transfer of custody of the child to the Department. If the court transfers custody then the child is placed with relatives or in foster care.
