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Intake, Investigation, & Assessment
Child protective services agencies are legally required to respond to concerns about child abuse and neglect. Intake involves receiving and screening reports of possible harm to determine if intervention is necessary. Investigations are conducted to determine if children have been harmed or are at risk of being harmed. Assessments determine the level of risk and safety for children and evaluate families' strengths and needs regarding the care of their children.
Often, these services are provided by multidisciplinary teams or through a collaborative approach by public and private service providers. When children have been harmed or are at risk of harm, staff may seek court involvement to compel families' participation in services.
- Intake and screening
- Investigation
- Safety and risk assessment
- Alternative response in child protective services
- Working with the courts in child protection
- Related resources
Child Protective Services: A Guide for Caseworkers. 2003 | |
Author(s): | Office on Child Abuse and Neglect DePanfilis, Salus |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 4,470KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2003 - 141 pages |
This manual examines the roles and responsibilities of child protective services (CPS) workers. It describes the purposes, key decisions, and issues of each stage of the CPS process: intake, initial assessment/investigation, family assessment, case planning, service provision, evaluation of family progress and case closure. The manual also covers strategies for casework supervision, training, and support. Appendices include a glossary of terms, resource listings of selected national organizations, State toll-free telephone numbers for reporting child abuse, and the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. 8 tables and 173 references. |
The Role of First Responders in Child Maltreatment Cases: Disaster and Nondisaster Situations | |
Author(s): | Office on Child Abuse and Neglect Cage, Salus |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 2,205KB) |
Year Published: | 2010 - 158 pages |
This manual is for professionals, such as emergency medical technicians, child protective services caseworkers, and law enforcement officers, who have the primary responsibility for the initial on-scene response to situations in which child abuse or neglect may have occurred. The manual describes the various types of child maltreatment and the signs that may indicate that maltreatment has occurred, provides an overview of the initial response and investigation in cases of suspected maltreatment, explains how first responders should prepare for and provide testimony in court for maltreatment cases, and outlines how first responders and their agencies can respond to child maltreatment ... |