CHAPTER 2000 CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES

CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHAPTER 2000 CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 2000 CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES ---------------------------------------------------1
2100 INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2-1
2110 PROGRAM AUTHORITY--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-1
2120 GOAL ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-1
2130 SERVICE DESCRIPTION--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-1
2131 Compliance With Court Orders And Liability Protection---------------------------------------- 2-2
2200 INTAKE------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-2
2210 ELIGIBILITY---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-2
2220 GUIDELINES---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-5
2221 JURISDICTION ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-12
2222 Child Death Review -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-12
2300 ASSESSMENT----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-13
2310 RESPONSE TIME ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-13
2320 RISK LEVELS--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-14
2330 STANDARDS OF INVESTIGATION---------------------------------------------------------------------2-14
2331 High Standard ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-14
2332 Low Standard-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-21
2335 DLR/CPS Use Of Safety Assessment And Safety Planning Tools ----------------------------2-22
2340 ONGOING RISK ASSESSMENT AND CPS------------------------------------------------------------2-25
2400 CASE PLANNING-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-25
2410 DESCRIPTION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-25
2420 PROCESS-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-25
2430 SERVICE AGREEMENTS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-26
2431 Purpose and Content-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-26
2432 Development -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-26
2433 Elements-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-26
2500 SERVICE DELIVERY -----------------------------------------------------------------------------2-27
2510 DESCRIPTION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-27
2511 Service Model ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-27
2512 Accessing Available Services------------------------------------------------------------------------2-27
2513 Case Management Functions ------------------------------------------------------------------------2-28
2514 Service Continuity -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-29
2520 INVESTIGATION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-29
2530 SERVICE OUTCOMES ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-29
2540 INVESTIGATIVE RISK ASSESSMENT-----------------------------------------------------------------2-29
2550 SPECIAL PROCEDURES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-31
2551 Prenatal/Newborn, Drug/Alcohol Exposure-------------------------------------------------------2-31
2552 Referrals on Drug/Alcohol-Exposed Newborns --------------------------------------------------2-32
2553 Institutional Abuse-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-33
2554 Alleged Abuse of Child Clients by DSHS Personnel --------------------------------------------2-34
2555 Alleged Medical Neglect in Health Care Facilities-----------------------------------------------2-35
2556 Referrals to CPS from Residential Facilities when Alleged Abuse Occurred
Prior to Placement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-38
2557 CPS Alerts ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-40
2558 Sexually Aggressive Youth --------------------------------------------------------------------------2-40
2559 Hospital Holds------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-41
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ii
25591 Finding Notification and Review ------------------------------------------------------------------2-41
2560 COMMUNITY COLLABORATION ---------------------------------------------------------------------2-44
2561 Community Involvement -----------------------------------------------------------------------------2-44
2562 Child Protection Teams -------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-45
2563 Military Personnel -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-47
2570 LAW ENFORCEMENT ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-48
2571 Mandated Reports to Law Enforcement------------------------------------------------------------2-48
2572 Criminal History Checks -----------------------------------------------------------------------------2-48
2573 Law Enforcement Assistance ------------------------------------------------------------------------2-49
2574 Law Enforcement Agreement------------------------------------------------------------------------2-49
2575 Confidentiality of Records ---------------------------------------------------------------------------2-49
2576 Conflict of Interest-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-49
2580 MISSING CHILDREN------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-50
2600 CASE REVIEW --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-51
2610 SUPERVISORY REVIEW--------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-51
2700 RESOLUTION ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-51
2710 CASE RESOLUTION/CLOSURE -----------------------------------------------------------------2-51
2711 Inactive Status ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2-51
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-1
2100 INTRODUCTION
2110 Program Authority
The Division of Children and Family Services' (DCFS) Child Protective Services
(CPS) program is authorized under federal and state laws and regulations. The
federal authorities are Public Law 93-247 and 45 Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), Part 1340 and 1357.20. The authorizing state laws and regulations are
Chapter 74.13 RCW, Chapter 26.44 RCW, WAC 388-15-130 through 388-15-134,
and WAC 388-70-095.
2120 GOAL
A. The goal of CPS is to protect children from child abuse and/or neglect while
preserving the family's integrity and cultural and ethnic identity to the
maximum extent possible, consistent with the safety and permanency needs
of the children.
B. CPS is a program available in all geographic areas of the state of Washington
on a 24-hour basis.
2130 Service Description
The purposes of CPS are to:
A. Receive and assess referrals from the community alleging child abuse and
neglect (CA/N).
B. Assess risk of future abuse or neglect to children.
C. Investigate referrals alleging CA/N or the risk of CA/N.
1. Determine the existence of CA/N.
2. Assess risk of abuse and neglect to children by performing a
comprehensive assessment, using the risk assessment model.
D. Provide early intervention information and referral services to advise parents
about services to strengthen families and prevent serious or continuing CA/N:
E. Develop culturally responsive case plans which:
1. Prevent or remedy CA/N in the shortest reasonable time.
2. Prevent or reduce the need for out-of-home placement.
3. Provide a safe and permanent home for a child.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-2
2131 Compliance With Court Orders And Liability Protection
See chapter 4000, Child Welfare Services, section 43073, for staff expectations for
compliance with court orders and legal representation for employees.
2200 INTAKE
2210 Eligibility
The primary purpose of the CPS program is to assess risk of child maltreatment
rather than to substantiate specific allegations of CA/N. Any referral received from
a commissioned law enforcement officer stating a parent has been arrested for
Criminal Mistreatment in the fourth degree under RCW 9A.42 will be screened in
and assigned for a High Standard Investigation.
A. CPS must accept referrals from any source and in any form, including those
received from an anonymous source. See the CA Case Services Policy
Manual, chapter 2000, section 2131, for limitations on referrals from
anonymous sources.
1. CA Intake staff shall make reasonable efforts to learn the name, address,
and telephone number of each person making a report of abuse or
neglect under RCW 26.44.030. Intake staff will inform the referrer that, if
he/she remains anonymous and the allegation appears to carry a lower
risk, then the referral will be screened out and will not be investigated.
2. Intake staff shall provide assurance to the referrer that the department will
make all legal and reasonable efforts to maintain confidentiality of the
identification of persons reporting under this section.
3. If the CA Intake staff is unable to learn the information required in
paragraph 1, DCFS staff shall only investigate cases, involving children
not in out-of-home care, that fall within criteria outlined in the CA Case
Services Policy Manual, chapter 2000, section 2131.
4. For purposes of this section and CA intake screens, "serious threat of
substantial harm to a child," as stated in RCW 26.44.030(15), means any
allegation on the current referral that is risk tagged 4 or 5 at Intake.
5. Anonymous reports of CA/N in licensed or certified child care facilities will
be accepted for investigation by DLR facility investigators without regard
to risk tag or their anonymity when the referral meets all other criteria for
acceptance for investigation.
B. The intake worker must forward all referrals alleging CA/N by Children’s
Administration (CA) employees, volunteers, members of the household of any
employee, or persons identified as relatives of an employee to a supervisor for
review and disposition per Operations Manual, chapter 15000, section 15204.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-3
C. CA may not name a person under the age of 18 as a subject of a CPS referral
unless the minor is the parent of the alleged child victim. However, a minor
may be an alleged perpetrator of CA/N. In such cases, department staff will
make the appropriate referral to law enforcement.
D. CA must provide CPS only to a child alleged to have been abused or
neglected by:
1. The child's parent or a person acting in loco parentis. Such persons
include (does not include school personnel who are performing their
official duties in the schools), but are not limited to:
a. Parents (custodial and non-custodial).
b. Step-parents.
c. Guardians.
d. Legal custodians.
2. The child's sibling, when the child's parent has failed to protect the child.
3. Any person residing with and/or having care-taking responsibilities for the
child.
4. A person subject to licensure/certification under Chapter 74.15 RCW and
RCW 74.08.044 and described in WAC 388-73-014 and 388-73-020,
including persons employed by licensed or certified agencies. Such
persons include, but are not limited to:
a. Child day care providers.
b. Foster/group care providers.
c. Employees of licensed/certified child care agencies.
d. Volunteers of licensed/certified child care agencies.
5. A person alleged to have committed CA/N in an institutional setting. CA
staff must not treat allegations of CA/N in licensed or certified facilities as
third party abuse or neglect. CA will accept all allegations of CA/N in
institutional settings that meet the sufficiency screen for investigation.
See chapter 5000, section 5140 of this manual, the CA Operations
Manual, chapter 5000, section 5300, and the Division of Licensed
Resources’ (DLR) Child Abuse and Neglect Section Practice Guide -
Investigating Abuse and Neglect in State-Regulated Care for
requirements for investigation of facility complaints.
a. Abuse of one resident by another resident may constitute neglect by
the caretaker.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-4
b. Such institutions include, but are not limited to:
i. Licensed foster family homes and child care providers.
ii. Residential care and treatment facilities for children.
iii. DLR-certified juvenile detention facilities.
iv. Hospitals.
6. A person providing in-home childcare services and paid by the
department.
7. A CA employee. See paragraph B, above.
E. CPS must accept for investigation referrals regarding sexually aggressive
youth (SAY) when:
1. Referred by law enforcement regarding a child under the age of eight who
has been determined by law enforcement to have committed a sexually
aggressive act.
2. Referred by a prosecutor's office regarding a child under the age of 12
who has been determined by the prosecutor to have committed a sexually
aggressive act but will not be prosecuted.
F. CA Intake must assess referrals screened in under paragraph E, above, for
the following factors:
1. Whether or not the youth has been abused or neglected.
2. The youth's potential for re-offending.
3. Risk to other children residing with the sexually aggressive youth.
4. The parents' willingness to protect, seek and utilize services, and
cooperate with case planning.
G. As mandated in RCW 26.44.030(8), any case referred to DCFS by a physician
licensed under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW on the basis of expert medical
opinion that child abuse, neglect, or sexual assault has occurred and that the
child's safety will be seriously endangered if the child is returned home, CPS
must file a dependency petition unless a second licensed physician of the
parents' choice believes that such expert medical opinion is incorrect.
1. If the parents fail to designate a second physician, DCFS may make a
selection.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-5
2. If a physician finds that a child has suffered abuse or neglect but that
such abuse or neglect does not constitute imminent danger to the child's
health or safety, and DCFS agrees with the physician's assessment, the
child may be left in the parents' home while DCFS proceeds with
reasonable efforts to remedy parenting deficiencies.
H. DCFS does not generally accept for investigation referrals of:
1. Abuse of dependent adults or persons 18 years of age or older. Such
services are provided by the Adult Protective Services (APS) section.
2. Third-party abuse committed by persons other than those responsible for
the child's welfare, except as discussed in section 2210.C.
3. CA/N that is reported after the victim has reached age 18, except that
alleged to have occurred in a licensed facility.
4. Child custody determinations in conflictual family proceedings or marital
dissolution, where there are no allegations of CA/N.
5. Cases in which no abuse or neglect as defined in Appendix A is alleged
to have occurred.
6. Allegations of violations of the school system's:
a. Statutory Code.
b. Administrative Code.
c. Statements regarding discipline policies.
I. CPS is provided without regard to income.
J. DCFS Intake must assess, to the extent possible, and document in the referral
the family's Limited English Proficiency (LEP) needs, including auxiliary aids
for the sensory impaired.
K. Intake must also assess and document ethnicity of the child/family, including
tribal affiliation. The social worker must determine ethnic status of family
members, complete the Ethnic Identification Form, DSHS 09-761, and
determine whether any family members are of Limited English Proficiency
(LEP) or are persons of sensory impairment. The department will provide
interpreter services as needed by the family. All services subsequent to intake
will also utilize interpreter services as needed.
2220 Guidelines
A. The DCFS intake social worker must utilize the CAMIS intake program to
record a comprehensive intake interview with any referrer wishing to report
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-6
CA/N. The worker must attempt to obtain and then include the following when
recording information about the incident:
1. The intake social worker must conduct a CAMIS person search for all
persons, victims, perpetrators, parents, and family members listed in the
referral information.
2. The intake social worker must provide the following information to the
referrer:
a. Tell individuals making referrals that, if requested, CA will not reveal
a referrer's name during the investigation.
b. Inform the referrer that DCFS may disclose the name of any referrer
for:
i. Court testimony.
ii. Fair hearing proceedings.
iii. Criminal investigations by law enforcement including
malicious reporting.
iv. When the court orders disclosure.
WAC 388-15-134
3. The social worker may request, but must not require, mandated reporters
or relatives to tell parents of the report. The worker may encourage
reporters to allow disclosure of their names in order to permit honest
discussion with the family of alleged CA/N and to facilitate problem
solving. See the CA Case Services Policy Manual, chapter 2000, section
2131, for limitations on referrals from anonymous sources.
4. Referrers reporting or testifying in good faith have immunity under RCW
26.44.060.
5. Specific allegations of CA/N. See the definition of "Negligent Treatment
or Maltreatment" in the Case Services Policy Manual, Appendix A.
6. Risk factors
a. Child Characteristics: the emotional, mental and physical
characteristics of the child.
b. Severity of CA/N: the degree of injury or physical or emotional harm
to a child.
c. Frequency of CA/N: any past history of CA/N or out-of-home
placement of child.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-7
d. Caretaker Characteristics
i. Factors related to the physical, mental or emotional
functioning of caretakers.
ii. Information regarding parents/caretakers or family of origin.
iii. Information regarding substance abuse, domestic violence,
and/or ability to protect the child.
iv. Previous convictions for crimes against children.
e. Parent/Child Relationship: information regarding the attachment
between the child and caretakers; information regarding parental
response to the child's misconduct; and information regarding the
child's role in the family.
f. Environmental Factors: information regarding the family's social
relationships and/or economic status; information regarding stressors
on the family.
g. Perpetrator Access: information regarding the capacity of the
person(s) alleged to have committed CA/N to contact, supervise, or
communicate with the child directly.
7. Referrer and other collateral statements.
8. Basis for intake risk assessment.
B. Sufficiency Screen-The intake social worker must complete the sufficiency
screen and determine if:
1. The worker has sufficient information to locate the child. The intake social
worker must utilize all available resources to locate the child. Local
offices may develop guidelines for best practice in locating children; and
2. The alleged perpetrator is a parent/caretaker of the child or someone
acting in loco parentis, or the parent is negligent in protecting the child
from further CA/N by a third party, or the perpetrator is a person specified
in section 2210(C). The intake worker does not include school personnel
who are performing their official duties in the schools as persons acting in
loco parentis; and
3. There is a specific allegation of CA/N meeting the legal and/or WAC
definition (In some cases, a collection of behaviors imply an allegation of
CA/N and may be considered an allegation for purposes of the sufficiency
screen); or
4. Risk factors exist which place the child in danger of imminent harm.
Imminent harm is defined as the significant possibility or likelihood that a
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-8
child will suffer serious physical or emotional harm in the near future. In
assessing risk of imminent harm, the overriding concern is a child's
immediate safety.
C. CA Intake must accept for CPS investigation any report meeting the
sufficiency criteria specified on the CAMIS intake screen. Any referral
accepted for CPS investigation must identify a subject and a victim, even if not
identified by name. If the name of the subject and/or the victim is not known at
intake, the intake social worker must provide a sufficient description of the
person(s) for the investigating social worker to be able to locate and
subsequently identify the person(s).
1. CA Intake staff will generate a new referral on an open case when a
report is received alleging a new instance of abuse or neglect has
occurred.
2. If CA Intake receives a second report about an instance of abuse or
neglect already documented on a referral; no new referral will be
generated. Such reports will be documented as an addendum to the prior
referral if the referral is not yet locked in CAMIS. If an addendum is not
possible, the report will be documented in an SER. The SER should be
associated with the appropriate case (if there is one established) and
referral ID to assure a CAMIS notifier goes to the assigned worker.
D. The intake social worker may accept CPS referrals that contain information
regarding indicators of CA/N, but lack specific information regarding incidents,
events, or conditions defined in DCFS policy as CA/N. Intake screens in
referrals when the intake worker has reasonable cause to believe that a child
is being abused or neglected or the risk factors place the child at risk of
imminent harm.
E. Child behaviors may be caused by factors other than CA/N. Intake staff must
exercise judgment based on their knowledge of child abuse and neglect to
decide if behavioral indicators of CA/N are comprehensive and cogent enough
to pass the sufficiency screen.
1. CA/N is not inherent in risk factors, and cases shall not be opened solely
on the basis of a single behavioral indicator. The more complete the list of
indicators of physical abuse, physical neglect, and/or sexual abuse, the
more likely it is that a child is being abused or neglected. One or two
behavioral indicators of abuse and neglect will rarely be sufficient to
warrant CPS investigation.
2. The intake social worker shall complete the allegation section of the
intake. The question in the sufficiency screen, "Is there a specific
allegation of child abuse and neglect which meets the legal and/or WAC
definition of child abuse and neglect?" shall be answered "YES" if
reasonable cause exists to believe the child was abused or neglected or
the child is at imminent risk of harm.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-9
3. Prior to making the screening decision, the intake supervisor shall review
CPS referrals containing information regarding behavioral indicators of
child abuse and neglect but lack description of allegations of CA/N.
F. Screened in Referrals
1. The intake social worker shall assign a risk tag to referrals that are
accepted for investigation. The six point scale for risk assessment is:
0 - No risk;
1 - low risk;
2 - moderately low risk;
3 - moderate risk;
4 - moderately high risk; and
5 - high risk.
2. The intake social worker shall:
a. Classify the severity of the allegation(s) of CA/N from low risk to high
risk utilizing section II, Severity, of the Risk Factor Matrix Guide.
Establish a baseline risk level; e.g., an initial classification of the
allegations of CA/N based on the most serious allegation.
b. Evaluate risk factor information noted on the referral form regarding:
i. Child characteristics.
ii. History of prior agency contact.
iii. Parental functioning.
iv. Environmental factors.
v. Perpetrator access.
c. Adjust the baseline risk level based upon the extent and degree of
factors exacerbating or ameliorating the risk of CA/N. Use these
ratings to accommodate borderline situations at intake.
i. The baseline may be adjusted upward when the referral
contains information about factors which are likely to
increase the risk of CA/N.
ii. The baseline may be reduced when the referral contains
information about factors which reduce the risk of CA/N.
d. Complete the "Basis for Intake Risk Assessment" section, which
provides the rationale for the risk tag decision.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-10
e. Complete the intake process within three working days from the date
of referral unless an emergent response is required.
f. Contact collateral information sources and record such contacts in
the Service Episode Record (SER) when:
i. Sufficient information is not available from the referrer to
determine if the referral should be accepted for investigation.
ii. It is necessary to verify or clarify an allegation of CA/N.
iii. Collateral sources have information which would be useful in
arriving at the Intake risk tag.
iv. For allegations of CA/N in state-regulated care, the Intake
social worker follows steps outlined in the Division of
Licensed Resources (DLR) Child Abuse and Neglect Section
Practice Guide - Investigating Abuse and Neglect in State-
Regulated Care. The Intake worker needs to contact the
licenser for the facility, do CAMIS history checks on facility
complaints, and ask questions of the referrer as outlined in
the guide.
g. For the low standard of investigation, contact collateral sources when
appropriate.
h. Make collateral contacts as soon as possible prior to making intake
decisions unless:
i. An immediate response is required.
ii. Sufficient information has been collected from the original
referrer.
iii. Assess frequency of CA/N at intake. Referrals rated
moderate risk or greater for frequency of CA/N shall receive a
baseline risk tag that is equal to, or greater than, the
frequency level.
2. The intake supervisor reviews all referrals and may change risk tag and
screening decisions when:
a. Additional information supports the change.
b. The supervisor determines that the screening decision and/or risk tag
is incorrect based on program guidelines.
3. The supervisor responsible for assigning the referral to a Child Protective
Services worker may also change risk tag and screening decisions when
additional information supports the change.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-11
4. The intake supervisor changing the referral must document the reasons
for change in the SER on the CAMIS referral.
G. Intake Decision
1. The intake social worker reviews the referral information and records the
intake decision in CAMIS:
a. Information Only. Referral does not meet sufficiency criteria and
referral is screened out.
b. Accepted for Investigation. Referral meets sufficiency criteria and
referral is screened in.
c. Third Party Report - when the perpetrator is not a person specified
in section 2210[C]). Referral does not meet sufficiency criteria and
referral is screened out. A referral is made to law enforcement and
the date recorded on the intake form.
2. The intake decision for allegations regarding state-regulated facilities and
DLR/CPS can have only one of three outcomes:
a. Screened in for DLR/CPS investigation with a program code of "C"
and referral decision of "A";
b. Screened out for CPS - referred to licensing with a program code of
"N’ and referral decision of "S"; or
c. Screened out for CPS but is not a licensed facility [e. g., Juvenile
Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) or Mental Health Division (MHD)-
operated] - with a program code of "C" and a referral decision of "I"
for information only.
H. Screened Out Referrals
1. Referrals which do not meet the sufficiency screen criteria shall be
screened out.
2. The intake supervisor shall retain in CAMIS, and make accessible to
intake staff, referrals that are screened out.
RCW 26.44.030(11)
I. Normally referrals will be entered directly into CAMIS. On those occasions
where a referral has been recorded on another document, the referral
information must be recorded into CAMIS within two working days.
J. The intake supervisor must ensure that all referrals indicating physical injury,
sexual abuse, death or other crimes against a child are referred to law
enforcement.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-12
2221 JURISDICTION
A. Initial jurisdiction in a CPS investigation resides with the office receiving a
referral.
B. Primary jurisdiction is the office where the family of the child victim customarily
resides. Screened-in referrals will be transferred to this office for case
assignment and services, including court intervention, when necessary.
Courtesy services may be requested from other offices.
C. Emergency jurisdiction resides with the office where a child is found. Services
to protect the child from imminent harm may be offered by the DCFS office in
the area where the child is located. Case assignment and ongoing services
will normally be the responsibility of the office with primary jurisdiction.
D. Temporary jurisdiction belongs to the office where a child is located. The child
may be residing on a temporary basis with a friend or relative or without the
benefit of a caretaker. Courtesy service such as interviewing the child or
continued temporary placement may be offered through this office.
E. Protection of the child is a key concept. The DCFS office having primary
jurisdiction must not refuse its role. However, for referrals from out of state,
there may be other factors about child safety and laws concerning the
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) to be considered.
When considering these other factors, safety of the child is the most significant
issue.
F. DCFS determines the office having jurisdiction in a case by the following
formula:
1. Where does the family reside (parent or other person having legal
custody)?
2. Where is the child physically located at this time?
3. Will the child be protected?
2222 Child Death Review
A. Reports to CA Intake
1. When reported, CA Intake must screen the following child fatalities, and
the Intake worker must enter the fatalities into CAMIS as new referrals:
a. Death from any cause of children in active CA cases;
b. Death from any cause when the child’s family has received services
from CA within the 12 months previous to the child’s death or when
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-13
there has been a CPS referral, whether accepted or not, within the
previous 12 months;
c. Death from any cause that occurs in a facility or home required to be
licensed or certified by the Division of Licensed Resources (DLR).
d. Death reported as being a possible result of child abuse or neglect
whether or not the family has had prior contact with CA.
2. CA Intake must access the person card in CAMIS and note that the child
is deceased.
3. CA Intake screens in child fatalities in the same way as other reports
coming into Intake. Frequently, the reports will not require assignment for
investigation.
B. Reports to Regional and Headquarters Management Teams
1. Within two hours of receiving a report of a child fatality, CA Intake must
notify, through the supervisor, the Area Manager and the Regional
Administrator.
2. The Regional Administrator or designee must then notify Headquarters
managers, including the Director of the Division of Program and Policy
Development, the Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary, and the
Assistant Secretary.
3. Within 24 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, of
receiving a report of child fatality, staff assigned by the Regional
Administrator must complete and forward electronically an Initial Report
of Child Fatality/Near Fatality to the program manager for Child Fatality
Review and the Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary.
4. If the Regional Administrator determines the fatality to be a high profile
incident, the Regional Administrator must ensure that assigned staff
sends updated versions of the Initial Report of Child Fatality/Near
Fatality to the Special Assistant at 10-day intervals until the internal
review (fact finding) report is submitted in accordance with the Operations
Manual, chapter 5000, section 5200.
2300 ASSESSMENT
2310 Response Time
A. The supervisor and assigned social worker shall consider as "maximum limits"
the timeframes defined in this section for CPS response. Cases may require a
quicker CPS response than the time- lines defined in this section.
B. Response time begins at the time and date of receipt of the referral. The
intake process must be completed within three working days.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-14
C. Referral receipt date and time begins when a referral is initiated by the referrer
through contact with the intake worker by any means.
D. Emergent response begins no later than 24 hours from the referral date and
time and requires a high standard of investigation. Emergent response is
required for children who are at risk of imminent harm (significant possibility or
likelihood that child may be seriously physically or emotionally injured in the
near future).
E. Non-emergent response begins within 10 calendar days from the referral date
and time. The standard of investigation may be high or low.
F. The supervisor may approve an exception to the requirement that the face-toface
visit occur within 10 days from the date of referral and that non-emergent
response begin within 10 calendar days. If the supervisor makes such an
exception, the supervisor must note the exception using the CAMIS
"DOCUMENT" procedure and include the reason(s) for the exception.
G. See the DLR Child Abuse and Neglect Practice Guide - Investigating Abuse
and Neglect in State-Regulated Care for required response times for licensed
or certified child care facilities and state-operated child care facilities.
2320 Risk Levels
There are six levels of risk - defined in the Risk Factor Matrix Guide. At Intake, the
social worker uses levels of risk to define the seriousness of the allegations, known
as the risk tag.
2330 Standards of Investigation
2331 High Standard
A. The CPS social worker uses the high standard of investigation for all referrals
given moderate to high risk tags at intake.
B. The CPS social worker uses the high standard when child abuse and/or
neglect is alleged in a licensed facility or a facility subject to licensure.
C. The social worker gathers information for risk assessment, family evaluation,
and case planning rather than gather evidence for criminal prosecution. The
social worker is not a law enforcement agent but is expected to work
cooperatively with law enforcement.
D. The assigned social worker must:
1. Contact the referrer if the intake information is insufficient or unclear and
may provide information about the outcome of the case to mandated
referrers.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-15
2. Interview child victims face-to-face within 10 working days from date of
referral.
a. An investigator or professional skilled in evaluating the child or
condition of the child must interview all child victims involved in the
report and capable of being interviewed through face-to-face contact
at the earliest possible time. Local protocol or the special needs of
the child may dictate that someone other than the CA social worker
interview the child regarding allegations of abuse.
b. If an investigator or qualified professional first conducts the interview
regarding child abuse, the assigned social worker is still responsible
for interviewing the victims face to face for the purpose of assessing
risk and gathering information for service planning. The social worker
may interview the child(ren) outside the presence of the parents.
The social worker may conduct the interview on school premises, at
child day care facilities, at the child's home, or at other suitable
locations. The interviews should uphold the principles of minimizing
trauma and reducing investigative interviews (SB 5127).
RCW 26.44.030
c. The social worker determines if the child wishes a third party to be
present during the interview. The social worker makes a reasonable
effort to have the interview observed by a third party so long as the
child does not object and the presence of the third party will not
jeopardize the investigation.
RCW 26.44.030
d. The initial interview with the child may be critical to later dependency
and/or criminal hearings. The social worker needs to make every
effort to avoid saying or doing anything that could be construed as
leading or influencing the child.
e. CA CPS staff must use near verbatim recording any time an alleged
child victim or a child witness makes statements to the CPS staff
relating to allegations of child sexual abuse. Such statements
include disclosures and denials of sexual abuse and provision of
information directly related to the specific allegation. CA staff may
summarize child and adult interviews that do not include discussions
of the allegations. See the Operations Manual, chapter 13000,
section 13100, for documentation requirements.
3. Assess referrals accepted as sexually aggressive youth (SAY) for the
following factors:
a. Whether or not the youth has been abused or neglected.
b. The youth's potential for re-offending.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-16
c. The parents' willingness to protect, seek and utilize services, and
cooperate with case planning.
4. If needed, photograph any child on whom a CPS referral has been made
for the purpose of providing documentary evidence of the physical
condition of the child.
RCW 26.44.050
5. On all CPS referrals risk tagged 3, 4 or 5, in which the child is not placed
in out-of-home care, the assigned social worker will complete a Safety
Assessment immediately following the initial face-to-face contact with the
child. The Safety Assessment may be initially documented directly in
CAMIS or on NCR paper forms. In either case, the Safety Assessment
must be documented in CAMIS according to the following timelines:
a. All referrals assessed as emergent and/or risk tagged 4 or 5 at
intake, the Safety Assessment will be entered into CAMIS or
completed on an NCR form within two working days of the initial
face-to-face contact with the child. If the NCR form is used initially,
the Safety Assessment form in CAMIS will be completed within 10
working days of the initial face-to-face with the child.
b. On all referrals risk tagged 3/non-emergent at intake, the Safety
Assessment will be entered into CAMIS or completed on an NCR
form within 10 working days of the initial face-to-face contact with the
child. If the NCR form is used, the Safety Assessment form in
CAMIS will be completed within 10 working days of the completion of
the NCR form.
c. If the Safety Assessment is completed on an NCR form, a hard copy
of the form must be included in the hard copy case file.
6. When any question on the Safety Assessment has a response marked
"indicated," the assigned social worker will also complete a Safety Plan.
Safety Plans may also be completed on other cases as determined to be
appropriate by the social worker and/or supervisor.
a. The Safety Plan may be completed by either direct entry into CAMIS
or by completion of an NCR form.
b. If the Safety Plan is completed on an NCR form, a hard copy of the
form must be included in the hard copy case file.
c. If the Safety Plan is completed on an NCR form, CAMIS
documentation may consist of entry of the Safety Plan information
into the CAMIS Safety Plan module or an SER entry reading: "Safety
Plan completed on this date on NCR form."
d. If the Safety Plan is completed by direct entry into CAMIS, a copy
should be printed and sent to the parents for their signature and
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-17
to document they have the information in the plan. A hard copy
should be placed in the correspondence section of the file.
Workers are strongly encouraged to obtain appropriate
signatures on the hard copy of the form, even if it is directly
logged into CAMIS.
7. If Safety Plans are required, completion of the Safety Plan will be
documented in CAMIS according to the following timelines:
a. On all referrals assessed as emergent and/or risk tagged 4 or 5 at
intake, the Safety Plan will be documented in CAMIS within 2
working days of the initial face-to-face contact with the child.
b. On all referrals risk tagged 3/non-emergent at intake, the Safety Plan
will be documented in CAMIS within 10 working days of the face-toface
contact with the child.
8. The decision as to whether an item on the Safety Assessment is marked
"indicated" reflects the best judgment of the social worker based on the
information available at the time of the assessment.
9. If a Safety Plan is not put into place within prescribed timelines and the
child is not removed from parental custody, the social worker will
document the reasons why a Safety Plan is not possible in the space
provided on the Safety Assessment. The social worker shall confer with
his/her supervisor regarding the case circumstances in a timely manner
10. It is encouraged to obtain the signatures of the participants on the safety
plan, especially that of the parents. This signature reflects their
agreement to carry out their part of the plan. If the signatures of parents
or other parties to the Safety Plan cannot be obtained, the assigned social
worker may note in the signature block on the form the date on which
verbal agreement as to the specific requirements of their involvement was
reached.
11. The supervisor will review the Safety Assessment and Safety Plan
according to the following guidelines:
a. On all referrals assessed as emergent and/or risk tagged 4 or 5 at
intake, the Safety Plan will be reviewed within 10 working days of its
completion or sooner at the discretion of the worker and supervisor.
b. On all referrals risk tagged 3/non-emergent at intake, the Safety Plan
will be reviewed at the regular monthly conference.
c. All Safety Assessments are to be reviewed at the regular monthly
conference if not reviewed previously.
d. Supervisory review of Safety Plans completed in CAMIS will be
documented in CAMIS, by opening the individual Safety Plans online
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-18
and utilizing the button provided to indicate approval.
e. Supervisory review of Safety Plans completed on NCR forms will be
documented by signing on the NCR form.
12. Under no circumstances will any case with an "indicated" response on the
Safety Assessment be closed without supervisory review of both the
Safety Assessment and Safety Plan.
13. With approval of the Regional Administrator, under a regional plan, hand
written NCR hard-copy Safety Assessments and Safety Plans may be
input into CAMIS by designated clerical staff according to the timelines
set forth above. In all cases where Safety Assessments or Safety Plans
have been completed on NCR forms, a copy of the original NCR
documents will be retained in the paper file. The social
worker will review the Safety Assessment and Safety Plan following
clerical input to assure accuracy.
14. Unless credible collateral contacts clearly indicate that neglect is not
occurring, make a home visit in cases of child neglect and in other cases
when a home visit is necessary to complete a risk assessment of the
family.
15. Notify the parents, guardian, or legal custodian of a child alleged to be the
victim of CA/N at the earliest possible point in the investigation that will
not jeopardize the safety or protection of the child or the course of the
investigation.
RCW 26.44.030
16. Notify the alleged perpetrator of the allegations of CA/N at the earliest
point in the investigation that will not jeopardize the safety or protection of
the child or the course of the investigation.
17. Conduct individual and face-to-face interviews with the child's caretaker(s)
and all alleged perpetrators if reasonably available. The social worker
may coordinate interviews with local law enforcement agencies in
accordance with local community protocols that may authorize interview
of the perpetrators by a person other than the social worker.
a. CPS staff must use near verbatim recording any time an alleged
perpetrator of child sexual abuse makes statements to the CPS staff
regarding the alleged sexual abuse.
b. CPS staff may summarize the nature of questions and the nature of
the responses when other adults provide information related to
allegations of child sexual abuse.
See the Operations Manual, chapter 13000, section 13100, for
documentation requirements. For the CA social worker to rely on
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-19
near verbatim reporting prepared by a law enforcement officer or
other community participant, the department’s local community
protocol must provide that the law enforcement or other participant
will provide the near verbatim report within 90 days of the interview.
18. Document in the record when the alleged perpetrator is unavailable or
unwilling to be interviewed.
19. Notify law enforcement in accordance with local protocol. The social
worker must ensure that notification has been made to law enforcement
following instructions in section 2220 of this chapter. When in the course
of an investigation there is reasonable cause to believe a crime against a
child has been committed, the social worker or supervisor must notify the
law enforcement agency with jurisdiction.
RCW 26.44.030 and 74.13.031
20. Request the assistance of law enforcement to:
a. Assure the safety of the child(ren) or staff.
b. Observe and/or preserve evidence.
c. Take a child(ren) into protective custody.
d. Enforce a court order.
e. Assist with the investigation.
21. See chapter 4000, section 43022, for notification to parents of their rights
when a child is taken into temporary custody.
22. Secure medical evaluation and/or treatment. The social worker considers
utilizing a medical evaluation in cases when the reported, observable
condition or the nature and severity of injury cannot be reasonably
attributed to the claimed cause and a diagnostic finding would clarify
assessment of risk. Social workers may also utilize a medical evaluation
to determine the need for medical treatment.
23. Make every effort to help the parent or legal guardian understand the
need for, and obtain, necessary medical treatment for the child. The
social worker must arrange for legal authority to secure necessary
available treatment when the parent or legal guardian is unable or
unwilling.
The social worker must ask the parent to arrange for prompt medical
evaluation of a child who does not require medical treatment, if indicators
of serious child abuse or neglect exist. The social worker may seek legal
authority for the medical examination if the parent does not comply with
the request.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-20
24. Contact the statewide Medical Consultation Network at 1-800-326-5300
whenever identification or management of CA/N would be facilitated by
expert medical consultation. For consultation with a pharmacist on
prescribed or non-prescribed medications, contact the Washington
Poison Control Center at 1-800-732-6895 (TTY 1-800-572-0368), identify
self as a CA social worker, and ask to speak to the pharmacist on duty.
25. The assigned CPS social worker must refer a child ages birth to 3,
identified with a developmental delay to a Family Resources Coordinator
with the Infant-Toddler Early Intervention Program (ITEIP).
a. Referrals are made by calling the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies
hotline at (1-800-322-2588) or through the ITEIP web site
http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/iteip/. The referral must also be discussed
with the child’s parents/caregivers. The parents/caregivers should
also be informed that services from ITEIP are free and do not commit
the family to participate in the program.
b. The referral must be made no more than two working days after a
concern(s) has been identified. The family may request that the
referral timeline be extended beyond two days. This request must be
documented. The assigned CPS social worker must document this
referral in an SER.
26. Seek professional and expert consultation and evaluation of significant
issues. Examples include having the housing inspector or other local
authority assess building safety or having the county sanitarian assess
sewage and septic treatment issues.
27. Interview, in-person or by telephone, professionals and other persons
(physician, nurse, school personnel, child day care, relatives, etc.) who
are reported to have or, the social worker believes, may have first-hand
knowledge of the incident, the injury, or the family's circumstances.
28. When requested, contact the referrers regarding the status of the case.
More specific case information may be shared with mandated reporters;
e.g., the disposition of the referral information and the department activity
to protect the child. Take care to maintain confidentiality and the integrity
of the family.
29. Notify all persons named in the referral as alleged perpetrators of the
abuse or neglect of the outcome of the investigation and the alleged
perpetrators’ rights of review and appeal, using the Client Notification
Letter.
RCW 26.44.100
E. Determination of Substance Abuse as a Contributing Factor to Child Abuse
and Neglect
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-21
1. The requirements in this subsection apply to all CA staff conducting high
standard investigations of CA/N that include an in-person contact with the
person alleged to have committed the CA/N. CPS staff must follow these
procedures:
a. When making an in-person investigation of alleged CA/N to
determine if it is probable that the use of alcohol or controlled
substances contributed to the alleged CA/N; and
b. To refer the alleged perpetrator(s) to obtain a comprehensive
chemical dependency evaluation of the person or persons alleged to
be responsible for the CA/N if the social worker, following a thorough
investigation, identifies indicators that abuse of alcohol or controlled
substances has contributed to the alleged CA/N.
2. The statutory requirement for these activities is contained in RCW
26.44.170. See the Case Services Policy Manual, chapter 3000, section
3221. The social worker must make a referral for evaluation under
paragraph 1 above, but the social worker does not have authority to force
the client to participate in the evaluation without a court order.
3. The CA social worker conducting an investigation or assessment of a
CPS referral requiring a high standard of investigation must complete the
tasks identified below.
a. When the social worker determines, according to the CPS Client
Substance Abuse Screen, that the use of alcohol or controlled
substances is a contributing factor to the alleged CA/N, the social
worker refers the alleged perpetrator to a qualified physician or a
certified chemical dependency specialist in accord with local protocol
for completion of a chemical dependency evaluation.
b. The social worker obtains from the chemical dependency evaluator
the result of the referral for an evaluation and documents that result
in the case record. The social worker need not keep the case open if
the sole reason for doing so would be to receive a copy of the
evaluation report. However, before closure, the social worker needs
to document efforts to obtain the evaluation report.
2332 Low Standard
The low standard of investigation may be used when intake staff and/or the
supervisor assess a referral as low or moderate low risk of CA/N. Parameters for
low standard of investigation include:
A. Response within 10 calendar days from the date of referral;
B. Referral to an Alternative Response System (ARS) or other community
agencies which are willing to accept the referrals for services and/or
monitoring.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-22
C. The social worker may send a letter to the family, make a phone call to the
caretaker(s), or make a brief home visit to provide the following information:
1. Notification that CPS has accepted a referral for investigation.
2. Information included in the referral regarding allegations of CA/N.
3. The local DCFS telephone number/contact.
4. Community resources which may be available to address the condition;
i.e., information and referral.
5. Notice that no further investigation will take place in response to this
referral.
D. Referrals that are tagged at intake as low risk and receive the low standard of
investigation shall have a case folder created when a referral is made to an
ARS and the case is open in DCFS. All other referrals that are tagged at
intake as low risk and receive the low standard of investigation shall be
opened and closed on CAMIS. Collateral information in the form of additional
documentation or correspondence shall be filed and maintained by each
office.
E. If additional referrals are made on a family, and the risk is moderately low or
higher, the low risk referral(s) shall be printed and included in the case file.
2335 DLR/CPS Use Of Safety Assessment And Safety Planning Tools
A. On all DLR/CPS referrals alleging the biological or adoptive child of a licensee
is the victim of CA/N in which the child is not placed in out-of-home care, the
assigned DLR/CPS Investigator will complete a Safety Assessment
immediately following the initial face-to-face contact with the child. The Safety
Assessment may be documented directly in CAMIS or on NCR paper forms.
Documentation will be done according to the following timelines:
1. On all referrals assessed as emergent and/or risk tagged 4 or 5 at intake,
the Safety Assessment will be entered into CAMIS or completed on an
NCR form within two working days of the initial face-to-face contact with
the child. If the NCR form is used, the Safety Assessment form in CAMIS
will be completed within 10 working days of the initial face-to-face with the
child.
2. On all referrals risk tagged 3 or less/non-emergent at intake, the Safety
Assessment will be entered into CAMIS or completed on an NCR form
within 10 working days of the initial face-to-face contact with the child. If
the NCR form is used, the Safety Assessment form in CAMIS will be
completed within 10 working days of the completion of the NCR form.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-23
3. If the Safety Assessment is completed on an NCR form, a hard copy of
the form must be included in the hard copy case file.
B. When any question on the Safety Assessment has a response marked
"indicated," the assigned DLR/CPS investigator will also complete an initial
Safety Plan.
1. The Safety Plan may be completed by either direct entry into CAMIS or
by completion of an NCR form.
2. If the Safety Plan is completed on an NCR form, a hard copy of the form
must be included in the hard copy case file.
3. If the Safety Plan is completed on an NCR form, CAMIS documentation
may consist of entry of the Safety Plan information into the CAMIS Safety
Plan module or an SER entry reading: "Safety Plan completed on this
date on NCR form."
4. If the Safety Plan is completed by direct entry into CAMIS, a hard copy
should be printed out and sent to the licensed providers and they should
be asked to return a signed copy to indicate their agreement with the
Safety Plan.
C. The initial Safety Plan will be documented in CAMIS according to the following
timelines:
1. On all referrals assessed as emergent and/or risk tagged 4 or 5 at intake,
the Safety Plan will be documented in CAMIS within 2 working days of the
initial face-to-face contact with the child.
2. On all referrals risk tagged 3 or less/non-emergent at intake, the Safety
Plan will be documented in CAMIS within 10 working days of the face-toface
contact with the child.
D. The decision as to whether an item on the Safety Assessment is marked
"indicated" reflects the best judgment of the social worker based on the
information available at the time of the assessment.
E. If an initial Safety Plan is not put into place, the DLR/CPS investigator will
document the reasons why an initial safety plan is not possible in the space
provided on the Safety Assessment and must confer with the supervisor
regarding the case circumstances in a timely manner.
F. If the signatures of parents or other parties to the initial Safety Plan cannot be
obtained, the assigned DLR/CPS investigator may note in the signature block
on the form the date on which verbal agreement as to their specific
responsibilities in the safety plan was reached.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-24
G. Safety Plans may also be completed in situations where they are not required
per the written policy at the discretion of either the assigned DLR/CPS
investigator or DLR/CPS supervisor.
H. Once the assigned DLR/CPS investigator has completed a Safety
Assessment and Safety Plan, and has determined that there is a need for
monitoring of the Safety Plan and/or provision of services, the DLR/CPS
Supervisor shall contact the appropriate DCFS Supervisor.
1. The Supervisor will ensure that the appropriate DCFS case assignment
will occur to provide monitoring of the Safety Plan and/or provision of
services.
2. In the event of disagreement between the DLR/CPS Supervisor and the
DCFS Supervisor, the matter will be immediately referred up the chain of
command for resolution.
3. As with any case transfer, appropriate staffings will occur to ensure the
transition of services to the family.
I. When DCFS staff assume responsibility for the case, DCFS also assumes
responsibility for making ongoing decisions about the safety of the child and/or
provision of services. DCFS and DLR will utilize joint staffings and shared
decision making whenever appropriate, especially if the license remains
active.
J. The DLR/CPS supervisor will review the Safety Assessment and Safety Plan
prior to transfer of a case to DCFS. In addition, the following timelines must
be met:
1. On all referrals assessed as emergent and/or risk tagged 4 or 5 at intake,
the Safety Plan will be reviewed within 10 working days of its completion,
or sooner at the discretion of the worker and supervisor.
2. On all referrals risk tagged 3 or less/non-emergent at intake, the Safety
Plan will be reviewed at the regular monthly conference.
3. All Safety Assessments are to be reviewed at the regular monthly
conference if not reviewed previously.
K. Supervisory review of Safety Plans completed in CAMIS will be documented
in CAMIS, by opening the individual Safety Plans online and utilizing the
button provided to indicate approval. Supervisory review of Safety Plans
completed on NCR forms will be documented by signing on the NCR form.
L. Under no circumstances will any case with an "indicated" response on the
Safety Assessment be closed without supervisory review of both the Safety
Assessment and Safety Plan.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-25
2340 Ongoing Risk Assessment and CPS
A. Risk Assessment continues throughout the life of a case from the initial CPS
referral until the case is closed. CPS is defined by the type and goal of
provided services and not limited by the organizational structure of local DCFS
offices.
B. CPS is a continuum of protection consisting of different but complementary
functions. Intervention designed to protect children from CA/N must include
permanency planning goals from the onset of the case and must be updated
at 90-day intervals.
2400 CASE PLANNING
2410 Description
A. Case planning builds on the principles of risk assessment by linking the
identified risk factors to their case plan.
B. The CPS worker must follow the requirements of WAC 388-15-131 and WAC
388-70-095 in determining if the reported child(ren) is Indian/Native American.
1. The social worker must document in the SER the steps taken and follow
the requirements contained in the Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Manual.
2. Upon initial acceptance of a case for service, the social worker must seek
to discover and document whether the involved child is of Indian ancestry.
The social worker must do this in every case.
3. Each time the case is transferred from one worker or program to another,
the social worker receiving the case must confirm that verification of
Indian ancestry has previously been completed.
C. The CPS social worker must develop and implement culturally responsive
case plans, consistent with the risk assessment model, designed to reduce the
risk of CA/N to children.
2420 Process
A. The social worker develops service plans with available parents using
empowerment strategies that identify and build on parental strengths. The
worker provides available parents with regular feedback about progress.
B. The social worker develops a case plan with each available family when
services are provided. The social worker completes a service plan on the
summary assessment form and negotiates service agreements with the family
and outlines the steps that are to be taken to achieve the case plans. See
chapter 4000, section 45023, for procedures to access Intensive Family
Preservation Services (IFPS) and Family Preservation Services (FPS). The
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-26
social worker makes reasonable efforts to ensure that service agreements are
translated into the primary language of the child and the child's caretaker.
2430 Service Agreements
2431 Purpose and Content
A service agreement is a written agreement between the social worker and the
parents that emerges from the case plan. The social worker, with the family, makes
efforts to have the service agreement with the family:
A. Provide the family and social worker with an organized, realistic method of
seeing the logical connection between a problem and how to resolve or lessen
that problem.
B. Result in services that are prioritized, is targeted to address major parenting
problems and family concerns, and builds on the strengths and resources of
the family.
C. Address the key patterns associated with CA/N.
D. Clearly define expectations for both the social worker and the family.
E. Dated and signed by the social worker and the parent(s) of the child.
2432 Development
A. The first priority in the development of a service agreement is the protection of
the child(ren).
B. Services are chosen based on the assessment of the problem, identification of
the strengths and resources of the family and the community, and the
likelihood that the service will reduce or eliminate risk of harm to the child(ren).
C. The agreement will make use of concrete services when appropriate to
supplement treatment/counseling.
D. The outcomes of the agreement will be evaluated by whether there is a
reduction of risk.
2433 Elements
A. The CPS social worker includes the following elements in service agreements:
1. Issues needing to be addressed.
2. Means of addressing the issues.
3. Behavioral objectives to be achieved.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-27
4. Significant activities to be completed, and by whom.
5. Known or anticipated cost of services.
6. Who will be responsible for costs.
7. Significant dates and time frames for completion.
8. Goal/outcome expectations for successful completion.
9. Methods for verifying compliance and measuring outcomes.
B. Service agreements are not legally binding.
C. The social worker discusses factors relevant to the agreement with the parent
to determine the level of compliance that can reasonably be expected. The
social worker monitors progress toward achievement of activities in these
agreements and may use telephone contacts and reports from providers.
D. The social worker incorporates service agreements into the service plan. For
specific criteria to be addressed in service agreements, see the Risk
Assessment Guide.
E. The social worker may authorize interim services prior to completing or
updating the Individual Service and Safety Plan (ISSP) or Summary
Assessment. The social worker may use the service agreement process to
authorize interim services.
2500 SERVICE DELIVERY
2510 Description
The social worker's primary goal is to attempt to ensure the safety of the child within
the context of the child's need for permanence in a family setting. The social
worker's emphasis is to strengthen the family in order to prevent removal and/or
reduce the length of stay in temporary out-of-home care.
2511 Service Model
DCFS employs the least intrusive service delivery model which engages the family
in problem solving efforts provided the child is adequately protected. Service
delivery is based upon and designed to build upon assessed family strengths. The
level of agency involvement with continuing service cases will be commensurate
with the level of assessed risk.
2512 Accessing Available Services
DCFS supervisors are responsible for orienting all social work staff with information
regarding agencies and services available to clients. Social workers refer clients to
appropriate available services necessary to alleviate the risk of CA/N. Such
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-28
services include FPS and IFPS. See chapter 4000, section 4502 for complete
descriptions of the two programs.
2513 Case Management Functions
Service delivery/case management functions include:
A. Ongoing review of case plan as needed.
B. Regular assessments of risk of CA/N.
C. Coordination of service delivery, including assisting families and children in
accessing DSHS and community resources.
D. Consulting with service providers regarding:
1. Reason for referral.
2. Family's attendance and progress in service efforts.
3. Provider/family identification of service needs.
4. Other case coordination.
E. Monitoring a child's safety.
F. Assessing and monitoring the ability of a non-offending parent or caretaker to
protect the child from further CA/N.
G. Decision-making regarding the timing and goals of permanency planning.
H. The assigned social worker shall invite the following parties to any staffing in
which decisions regarding the child are being made.
1. Treatment Providers;
2. Other professionals who play a significant role with the family;
3. Individuals with responsibilities identified in the safety plan;
4. The family, if appropriate, if not present, their perspective should be
represented;
5. Foster Parent;
6. Child, if over 12 years of age.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-29
2514 Service Continuity
The supervisor shall work to assure continuity of service delivery when CPS cases
are transferred from one social worker to another. Continuity of service delivery
includes communication and case staffing among DCFS staff who have recently
worked on the case.
2520 Investigation
The social worker shall complete an investigative risk assessment on all
investigations of child abuse and neglect upon completion of the investigation and
no later than the 90th day after the referral is received unless the requirement is
waived by the supervisor per section 2610.
2530 Service Outcomes
The social worker shall achieve one of three outcomes for investigations:
A. A written voluntary service agreement with the family signed by the
participants.
B. A dependency action filed in juvenile court.
C. Closure of the case.
2540 Investigative Risk Assessment
The Summary Risk Assessment has been revised and replaced with the
Investigative Risk Assessment (IRA). It must be completed at the end of the
investigation, but no later than 90 days after the date of the referral.
A. The social worker must complete a CAMIS Investigative Risk Assessment
form which includes:
1. A listing of risk factors included on the risk factor matrix. This listing must
include a completed substance abuse screen as provided in CAMIS.
2. A narrative account of important risk factors and family strengths and how
these factors contribute to or reduce the risk of CA/N.
3. Disposition; e.g., a description of DCFS case status.
4. A record of case findings regarding alleged abuse or neglect. CPS
investigators will base findings for victims on CA/N codes designated in
the referral according to the following definitions:
a. Founded means: Based on the CPS investigation, available
information indicates that, more likely than not, child abuse or neglect
as defined in WAC 388-15-130 did occur.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-30
b. Unfounded means: Based on the CPS investigation, available
information indicates that, more likely than not, child abuse or neglect
as defined in WAC 388-15-130 did not occur.
RCW 26.44.020
c. Inconclusive means: Following the CPS investigation, based upon
available information, the social worker cannot make a determination
that, more likely than not, child abuse or neglect has or has not
occurred.
B. The social worker must complete the CAMIS Investigative Risk Assessment
form as follows:
1. Cases Closed Within 90 Days Without Services
a. Complete the following sections by the 90th day after the referral is
received:
i. Section I Baseline Level of Risk
ii. Section II Child Characteristics
iii. Section II Caretaker Characteristics
iv. Section IV Familial, Social and Economic Factors
v. Section V Protective Factors & Family Strengths
vi. Section VI Basis for Overall Level of Risk
2. Cases Closed Within 90 Days With Services
a. Complete the following sections no later than the 90th day after the
referral is received:
i. Section I Baseline Level of Risk
ii. Section II Child Characteristics
iii. Section II Caretaker Characteristics
iv. Section IV Familial, Social and Economic Factors
v. Section V Protective Factors & Family Strengths
vi. Section VI Basis for Overall Level of Risk
b. Complete a service plan that addresses the relevant high risk factors
identified through the risk assessment prior to starting services.
Parents are not required to sign the service plan if the case is closed
by the 90th day after the referral was received.
3. Cases Opened Beyond 90 days With Voluntary Service Agreement
a. Complete the following sections of the Investigative Risk Assessment
prior to having the parent sign the service agreement.
i. Section I Baseline Level of Risk
ii. Section II Child Characteristics
iii. Section II Caretaker Characteristics
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-31
iv. Section IV Familial, Social and Economic Factors
v. Section V Protective Factors & Family Strengths
vi. Section VI Basis for Overall Level of Risk
b. When a case remains open for services after completion of an IRA,
and no ISSP is required, a Reassessment of Risk will be completed
at case closure, transfer, and every six months. If an IRA or
Reassessment of Risk has been completed within the previous 30
days, and no significant change has occurred, a new Reassessment
of Risk is not required.
4. Cases Open Due to Placement or Dependency Action
a. Complete Sections II, III, IV, and V of the Investigative Risk
Assessment by the 90th day after the referral is received OR at case
transfer if transfer occurs less than 90 days after the intake is
received.
b. At case transfer to Child Welfare Services complete a Reassessment
of Risk if transfer occurs more than 90 days after the referral was
received.
c. Prior to returning a child home if the child was in placement no longer
than 60 days, the assigned worker must: complete a Reunification
Assessment, Transition Plan and (if the child is under age 12 and
was placed due to child abuse or neglect) a Safety Plan.
d. The social worker must, on placement/dependency cases, include
SER documentation of important observations, events and collateral
contacts, as well as dates of contact with parents, children, foster
parents and service providers. The social worker must also include
the visitation record in the case file.
2550 Special Procedures
2551 Prenatal/Newborn, Drug/Alcohol Exposure
A. The Intake social worker shall take the following steps:
1. Accept as "information only" referrals which document the use, by a
pregnant woman, of alcohol or controlled substances that are not
medically prescribed and are teratogenic or known to potentially cause
fetal toxicity or damage.
2. Refer all prenatal referrals to the local Community Services Office (CSO)/
contracted First Steps social worker for determination of eligibility for the
First Steps program. The CSO and First Steps shall be responsible for
case management and treatment services funded under the Maternity
Care Access Bill and the Drug Omnibus Act.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-32
3. Accept and open for investigation referrals made by the CSO or
contracted First Steps case manager, or other mandated reporter, on
women believed to be within four (4) weeks of delivery and who are using
substances as defined above. Earlier CPS intervention may occur based
on the decision of a joint CPS/First steps Program case staffing. The
social worker shall accept the referral if the pregnant mother meets one or
more of the following conditions:
a. Refuses to get prenatal care and/or has made no provisions for the
baby.
b. Refuses to enter substance abuse treatment.
c. Is mentally ill or seriously emotionally disturbed.
d. Is without a social and financial support system.
e. Has a history of prior CPS involvement where other children are in
out-of-home care or where parental rights have been terminated.
f. Is under the age of 18 and lacks a place to live.
B. The purpose of prenatal CPS involvement is to:
1. Allow adequate time prior to birth to assess the parent(s)' ability to provide
safe and adequate care for the child at birth.
2. Explore relatives or other placement possibilities if it appears unlikely that
the parent(s) will be able to provide care.
3. Encourage the parent(s) to participate in treatment.
4. Advise of possible CPS action at birth.
C. The social worker does not file prenatal dependency petitions except when the
social worker believes it is necessary to assume immediate custody of the
infant at birth. The social worker files prenatal petitions only in consultation
with assigned legal counsel.
2552 Referrals on Drug/Alcohol-Exposed Newborns
The CPS intake social worker shall accept referrals from mandatory reporters on
drug/alcohol-exposed newborns. These referrals include, but are not limited to,
infants with a positive drug screen at the time of birth.
A. The DCFS supervisor shall assign these referrals for investigation.
B. The social worker conducts an investigation, following the risk assessment
model, focusing on the ability of the parent(s) to protect and care for the infant
and including consultation with the referring source. The CPS social worker or
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-33
supervisor shall refer cases to law enforcement or to the prosecutor's office
per local agreement.
C. Factors such as signs of infant or maternal drug withdrawal or evidence of
current maternal substance abuse may result in referral to CPS, and the CPS
supervisor may consider them for assignment.
D. The social worker, when completing an assessment, shall specifically address
the following factors:
1. History and pattern of parental substance abuse.
2. Parental mental health and physical condition.
3. Home environment, including presence of other substance abusers or
transience of parent(s).
4. Physical condition and medical needs of the child.
5. Support available to the parent(s).
6. History of previous allegations of CA/N by parents.
7. Chemical dependency testing (e.g., urinalysis) and monitoring of
parent(s), when available within existing resources.
E. The social worker's first priority in case planning will be protection and safety
of the child. For cases where the infant remains in parental care, the written
case plan shall document specific safeguards to protect the child.
Participation by parents in substance abuse evaluation and treatment, though
a necessary component of a service plan, does not in and of itself indicate
protection for the child.
F. The social worker monitors, through regular personal and collateral contacts,
the service plan for compliance when the infant remains in the home. The
social worker immediately re-assesses the need for court involvement or outof-
home placement if the parent fails to comply with the service plan.
G. The social worker may, if appropriate, refer the child/family to the
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) facilitator for assistance in applying for
SSI on behalf of the child.
2553 Institutional Abuse
A. Institutional abuse is any child maltreatment as defined in DSHS
Administrative Policy 8.02, Client Abuse, occurring in any DSHS certified,
licensed, or staffed child care facility, including adoptive home placements
prior to finalization. For investigation, DCFS staff shall follow the policy and
procedures outlined in the Operations Manual, chapter 5000, section 5300.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-34
B. The social worker shall report through the supervisor all incidents of alleged
CA/N in DSHS staffed, licensed, or certified facilities using the steps outlined
in the CA Operations Manual, chapter 5000, section 5100.
C. Certified and licensed facilities include foster homes, including those licensed
by child placing agencies, child day care facilities, group homes, hospitals,
Crisis Residential Centers (CRC), and some juvenile detention facilities.
Division of Licensed Resource, CPS Section must notify the licensing authority
of alleged CA/N and must investigate in accordance with the Operations
Manual, chapter 5000, section 5300. Any plan for remedial action with the
facility must be the responsibility of the licensing authority. The CPS social
worker and the licenser must consult during the investigation.
WAC 388-73-036, 388-73-048, and 388-73-050
2554 Alleged Abuse of Child Clients by DSHS Personnel
A. The social worker takes referrals using CAMIS intake and must attach any
supporting documents. See the CA Operations Manual, chapter 15000,
section 15204, for procedures regarding administrative files.
B. The intake social worker places all relevant material into a confidential file
folder and brings it immediately to the attention of the supervisor.
C. The supervisor briefs the area manager and agrees on a plan for independent
investigation by CA staff which includes the following elements:
1. Consultation with the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) under DSHS
Administrative Policy 6.01.
2. Referral to the Employee Services Director for possible investigation per
DSHS Administrative Policy 6.01.
3. Designation of specific CA social work staff to conduct the investigation.
4. Making an initial incident report to the Regional Administrator;
5. Notification to law enforcement as required by RCW 26.44.030 and
74.15.030.
6. Notification to the head, or designee, of the facility where the staff is
employed that:
a. A CPS referral has been made.
b. A CPS investigation will follow.
c. No action shall be taken by the facility which might interfere with the
CPS investigation.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-35
7. Assessment of the alleged perpetrator's access to the child victim or other
potential child victims.
8. The immediate treatment and protection needs of the child and
willingness or ability of the agency to meet those needs.
9. Notification of the parents and/or person(s) who had legal custody prior to
the grant of legal custody to the state of the alleged victim and the facility
head of the allegations and the results of the CPS investigation.
10. Provision of the written results of the investigation to the Assistant
Secretary through the Regional Administrator on an incident report
format, in accordance with the incident reporting provisions of the
Operations Manual, chapter 5000, section 5100.
D. The CPS social worker must coordinate the investigation with other authorized
investigative activities.
E. The assigned social worker and the supervisor are responsible for the
assessment of continued risk to the alleged victim.
2555 Alleged Medical Neglect in Health Care Facilities
A. DCFS investigates alleged incidents of medical neglect, including the
withholding of medically indicated treatment from a disabled infant with a lifethreatening
condition, in a health care facility. As used in this section,
withholding medically indicated treatment means: The failure to respond to a
child's life-threatening conditions by providing treatment which, in the treating
or consulting physician's reasonable medical judgment, will be most likely to
be effective in ameliorating or correcting such conditions.
B. There are three exceptions to the requirements that treatment be provided.
Determination of exceptions is a medical responsibility. Exceptions are valid
for cases in which:
1. The child is chronically and irreversibly comatose.
2. The provision of treatment would merely prolong dying or would not be
effective in ameliorating or correcting the child's life-threatening
conditions, or otherwise would be futile in terms of survival of the child.
3. The provision of such treatment would be virtually futile in terms of the
survival of the child and the treatment itself under such circumstances
would be inhumane.
Appropriate nutrition, hydration, and medication must be provided without
exception. The medical professional reviewing the medical decision shall
not base consideration on the quality of life in later childhood and adulthood
in determining whether an exception may be made.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-36
C. The CPS social worker shall:
1. Promptly notify the individual designated by and within the health care
facility of cases of alleged medical neglect.
2. Coordinate and consult with individuals designated by and within the
health care facility throughout the ongoing investigation.
3. Meet with the individual designated by the facility to review the medical
record.
4. Observe the child.
5. Consider the referral unfounded when:
a. The child is not at risk.
b. The medical records indicate that the attending physician's plan to
withhold medical treatment has been reviewed and concurred with by
two consulting physicians or an infant care review committee (or
similar institutional/medical review) which includes the concurrence of
two consulting physicians.
i. Provided that at any time the department may review any
decision with the Medical Consultation Network, telephone 1-
800-326-5300, or other consulting physician as may be
designated by the department, in determining the need for
CPS intervention.
ii. The department has final responsibility for determining
whether further intervention or court referral is necessary.
6. Request that a meeting be scheduled as soon as possible with
appropriate hospital/medical staff to review the decision to withhold
treatment when it is not clear or documented that the conditions in
number 5 above exist. Such a meeting shall include:
a. The hospital or facility designee.
b. The attending physician.
c. The CPS social worker.
d. The DCFS medical consultant (as necessary).
e. Others as appropriate.
The social worker shall document the reason for the non-attendance of a
representative of 6a through 6d.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-37
7. Pursue remedies, including initiating a dependency action in juvenile
court, as may be necessary to prevent the withholding of medically
indicated treatment from children with life threatening conditions.
8. Encourage inclusion in treatment of appropriate nutrition, hydration, and
medication regardless of the child's condition or prognosis.
D. Hospitals/health care facilities involved in the care of children are an important
reporting and monitoring resource for DCFS. Local DCFS offices shall
maintain and update annually agreements with each facility that shall include
the following elements:
1. Procedure specifying that the CPS social worker shall promptly contact
the facility to obtain the name, title, and telephone number of the
individual(s) designated by such facility for the purpose of coordination,
consultation, and notification of CPS concerns involving the facility.
2. CPS referral procedures consistent with the intent of RCW 26.44 that
facilitate direct referral by the person observing the risk situation.
3. Arrangements for preliminary interviews of children by the CPS social
worker before notification of parents when such notification of parents
would interfere with the appropriate collection of information.
4. Arrangements for allowing access to medical records by the social worker
involved in a CPS investigation.
5. Procedure for the placing of a child in temporary protective custody by a
hospital administrator or physician as specified by RCW 26.44.056.
6. Procedure for the investigation of alleged incidents for medical neglect by
the facility, including the alleged withholding of medically indicated
treatment from a disabled infant. Such a procedure may include:
a. Continuation of medically necessary treatment upon notification that
DCFS has received a referral. When necessary to maintain medical
treatment, the facility administrator shall take action to allow the initial
CPS review to be completed.
b. Notification to parents regarding the review of the decision to
withhold treatment shall be deferred to the facility when the facility is
willing to accept that responsibility.
c. Agreement and procedures for the meeting of the social worker and
facility representatives, including, as necessary, the contracted
medical consultant designated by DCFS.
d. The social worker may refer unresolved issues to the Attorney
General's Office or its designee for consideration of grounds for
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-38
dependency to assure the continuation of medically necessary
treatment.
2556 Referrals to CPS from Residential Facilities when Alleged Abuse
Occurred Prior to Placement
A. DCFS response when a child in a residential treatment facility, institution, or
group home discloses past sexual or physical abuse which did not occur in the
facility includes:
1. Where to Report
a. CPS intake in the office currently authorizing or supervising the
placement of the child (placing office) has primary responsibility to
receive a report regarding previous CA/N.
b. Intake serving the area in which the facility is located shall take the
referral when:
i. The child is not a DCFS-related placement.
ii. The facility is unable to contact the placing office.
2. CPS Response to Reports
a. When CPS in the local office serving the area where the facility is
located receives a call, the intake worker:
i. Obtains the following information as necessary to identify the
case and the placing office:
• A brief description of the information.
• The name, birth date, and case number (if any) of the
child.
• The name and address of the child's parent(s) or other
caretaker.
• The name of the family's caseworker, if any.
• The name and phone number of the reporter.
ii. Calls CPS intake in the placing office. If this can be done with
the facility on hold, then the worker need only connect the facility
when the placing office is on line. If the facility is not on hold,
the above information will be given to CPS intake at the placing
office.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-39
iii. Will be available to provide coordination and facilitation of the
referral; e.g., interview the child victim or other facility staff when
requested by the placing office.
iv. Provides consultation and assistance to facilities in their area
regarding what constitutes CA/N and what are the reporting
requirements.
b. The placing office coordinates the:
i. Investigation, including the interview of the child.
ii. Reports to law enforcement.
iii. Other activities as necessary.
c. The placing office:
i. Has CPS in the location of the facility conduct the
investigation.
ii. Completes the CAMIS referral with the notation "This is a
residential facility" and screen the referral for sufficiency.
iii. Informs the referrer of the initial decision and reason.
• If accepted, non-emergent response is most likely unless
the child is returning to the home of the alleged offender
(visit, discharge, etc.).
• If screened out when the case is already open to DCFS,
the referral will be sent to the assigned worker for
information, possible non-CPS follow-up, or other action
as may be necessary.
iv. Assigns cases accepted for investigation and notify the facility
of the worker identity within three working days. The
supervisor and the social worker shall make every effort to
expedite responses when the facility requests earlier
assignment for the security or emotional health of the child.
The supervisor may assign an emergent response time.
v. The intake supervisor notifies staff/supervisors with the open
cases on the child/victim and forwards a copy of the referral
to the currently assigned social worker.
vi. The investigating worker keeps the facility advised of the
investigation time-frames, progress, and findings.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-40
2557 CPS Alerts
A. Any DCFS supervisor may initiate statewide or interstate CPS alerts when it is
important that a child at risk be located. Before initiating the alert, the social
worker needs to check for the subject individuals in Automated Client Eligibility
System (ACES). The alert system generates a computer printout containing
essential information for each local office within the state and, when
necessary, provides for referral to liaison persons in other states. The system
is only available for open and assigned CPS cases.
B. A DCFS supervisor may initiate an alert within the state by contacting the
CAMIS Help Desk or using E-mail requesting acknowledgment and providing
information in the following format:
1. Identification:
a. Name and birth date of child at risk.
b. Names and birth dates of persons presently caring for the child.
c. Current legal status of the child.
2. Problem: Describe why the child is at risk, the degree of risk, and, if
known, the probable destination. Historical, legal, or other identifying
information may be added, but it should be brief and relevant.
3. Contact: Name of assigned social worker and complete mail and phone
contact instructions.
C. The DCFS supervisor follows the above format for interstate alerts and must
submit them in typed memo form to DSHS, DCFS, Mail Stop 45710, Attention:
CPS Program Manager.
D. The supervisor may provide printed copies of the alert to CSO intake units.
E. The intake supervisor maintains a printed copy of all alerts in either a
chronological or alphabetical file at the office for 180 days after receipt. The
local office may destroy the printed alerts after that time. The originating office
may renew alerts after 180 days.
2558 Sexually Aggressive Youth
A. Social workers must arrange for the provision of appropriate and
comprehensive evaluation, treatment and supplemental services for sexually
aggressive youth (SAY) as approved by Regional SAY Teams. See chapter
4000, section 4536 for information regarding services and placement
guidelines.
RCW 74.13.075
B. Sexually aggressive youth means those juveniles who:
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-41
1. Have been abused and have committed a sexually aggressive act or
other violent act that is sexual in nature; and
2. Are in the care and custody of the state; or
3. Are in the care and custody of a federally recognized Indian tribe located
within the state; or
4. Are the subject of a proceeding under chapter RCW 13.34 or a child
welfare proceeding held before a tribal court. This allows service to
children in their own home who are in shelter care status or dependent; or
5. Have been determined by law enforcement (for children under eight years
of age) or a prosecutor's office (for children eight through 11 years of age)
to be a sexually aggressive youth who will not be prosecuted.
RCW 26.44.160 and 9A.04.050
C. CPS must investigate any referrals from law enforcement or a prosecutor's
office that allege that a child is a sexually aggressive youth. The purpose of
the investigation is to determine whether the child is abused or neglected,
whether any siblings are at risk, and whether the child or the child's parents
are in need of services or treatment.
RCW 26.44.075
D. DCFS may offer appropriate available services and treatment as provided in
RCW 74.13.075 and may refer the child and his or her parents to appropriate
services available within the community. If the parents refuse to accept or fail
to obtain appropriate treatment or services under circumstances that indicate
that the refusal or failure is child abuse or neglect, the department may pursue
a dependency action as provided in chapter 13.34 RCW.
2559 Hospital Holds
CPS must receive a child taken into custody by a law enforcement agency pursuant
to a determination by a hospital administrator or physician that the child would be in
imminent danger if released to the child's caretaker. CPS must detain the child until
the court assumes custody. However, if in the opinion of the CPS worker and
supervisor, based upon documented evidence and in consultation with appropriate
entities such as the Child Protection Team (CPT), the child's safety will not be
unduly endangered if the child is returned, the social worker may return the child to
the parent or legal guardian. If the child is returned home, the assigned social
worker must monitor the continued safety of the child for a six-month period.
25591 Finding Notification and Review
A. Review and Appeal Rights-When a CA CPS investigator completes an
investigation of a report of alleged child abuse or neglect under chapter 26.44
RCW, the assigned CA staff must notify the alleged perpetrator of the findings
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-42
of the investigation and provide the alleged perpetrator with the opportunity to
review and appeal the finding if applicable.
1. The assigned CA staff must provide notice on all findings, including
founded, unfounded, and inconclusive, by certified mail, return receipt
requested, to the person’s last known address. When department staff
knows that the alleged perpetrator has moved, assigned staff must make
good faith efforts to determine the new address of the alleged perpetrator.
2. A person named after October 1, 1998, as an alleged perpetrator in a
founded report of CA/N has the right to seek review and amendment of
the finding.
a. After receiving written notice from the department that the
department has named the person as a perpetrator in a founded
CA/N report, the named person may request that the department
review the finding. The department must receive the request for
review within 20 calendar-days following the named person’s receipt
of the notice.
b. The named person must make the request in writing.
c. If the alleged perpetrator does not make a request for review in
accordance with this section, the alleged perpetrator may not further
challenge the finding and has no right to an administrative hearing or
judicial review of the finding.
3. Upon receipt of a written request for review, CA must review and, if
appropriate, amend the finding. CA staff above the first level of
supervision must retain responsibility for the review. See paragraph B(7)
below.
a. Upon completion of the review, the Regional Administrator or
Division of Licensed Resources (DLR) Director, or designee, as
applicable must notify the alleged perpetrator in writing of the
agency’s determination.
b. The CA representative must send the notification by certified mail to
the named person’s last known address.
4. If, following agency review, the report remains founded, the person
named as the perpetrator may request an administrative hearing to
contest the finding. The named person must file the request for an
administrative hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings within 30
calendar days after receiving notice of the agency review determination.
5. If the named person does not request an administrative hearing as
provided in this section, the person may not further challenge the finding
and has no right to further agency review or to administrative hearing or
judicial review of the finding.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-43
B. Department Procedures
1. The CPS social worker must complete the summary assessment and
enter a finding in CAMIS.
2. The CPS worker must complete the client notification letter template for
founded or unfounded/inclusive investigative results, as appropriate to the
finding entered.
3. Per local office procedure, assigned staff must generate and send the
client notification letter to the CPS supervisor for review. After review and
approval, the CPS supervisor must sign the letter and provide the letter to
the tracking clerk for mailing.
4. The tracking clerk must send each notification letter by certified mail,
return receipt requested, and must maintain a tracking system for the
notification process. For notification of founded allegations, the clerk must
send the letters by certified mail, restricted delivery.
5. When the social worker or the worker’s supervisor determines that
notification by personal delivery is in the best interests of the alleged
perpetrator’s family, the assigned social worker may personally deliver the
notification letter to the alleged perpetrator.
a. The social worker must document in the CAMIS SER and must notify
the tracking clerk that the worker delivered the notification letter in
person.
b. If the subject of the referral refuses to accept the in-person delivery,
the social worker must arrange for the tracking clerk to send the letter
by certified mail, return receipt requested, restricted delivery.
6. When the CA office receives a request for an internal review regarding a
founded report, the tracking clerk determines if the alleged perpetrator
has made the request within 20 calendar days of the alleged perpetrator’s
receipt of the notification letter.
a. If the alleged perpetrator made the request within the required
timeframe, the tracking clerk sends the request to the area manager
or DLR/CPS section manager for an internal review of the finding.
b. If the alleged perpetrator’s request did not come within the
designated timeframe, the CPS supervisor must notify the alleged
perpetrator that the alleged perpetrator has no further right to review
of the finding.
7. The DCFS area manager, or designee, or DLR Director, as applicable,
must complete the internal review. The review may include an interview
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-44
with the social worker and/or the worker’s supervisor. At a minimum, the
internal review must include:
a. A review of the case file, including the referral, the SER, the
summary assessment, and the findings screen; and
b. A review of any written information provided by the subject of the
referral, but not an in-person meeting with the subject of the referral.
8. The DCFS area manager, or designee, or DLR Director, as applicable,
must notify the alleged perpetrator of the result of the review within 45
calendar days from the date the department received the request for
review. The designated manager must:
a. Provide the notification of the department’s determination in writing;
and
b. Send the notification by certified mail to the alleged perpetrator’s last
known address.
9. If the assigned manager or designee upholds the founded report of CA/N,
the subject of the referral must request, in writing, an administrative
hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings within 30 calendar days
from the date the subject receives the department’s notice of decision.
10. Assigned staff must document any change in findings made as a result of
an internal review or an administrative hearing in CAMIS. The assigned
manager or designee provided security access to change the finding in
CAMIS must enter any change in finding within 10 working days of the
decision to change the finding. The manager or designee must make the
changes in the findings screen of CAMIS so that the changed finding will
be evident when the finding is subsequently called up in CAMIS.
11. All findings will remain in effect as originally determined pending any
internal review or administrative hearing.
2560 Community Collaboration
2561 Community Involvement
DCFS managers, supervisors, and line staff are expected to allocate time to the
development and maintenance of written operating agreements and collaborative
working relationships with:
A. Law enforcement agencies.
B. Juvenile courts.
C. Schools.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-45
D. Ethnic/minority communities.
E. The medical community.
F. Appropriate social service agencies.
2562 Child Protection Teams
A. Purpose and Scope
1. Regional Administrators must establish and maintain one or more CPTs
in each region.
RCW 74.14B.030 and Executive Order (EO) 95-04
2. The Regional Administrator must utilize the team(s) for consultation to:
a. Assist in assessment of the future risk of abuse and neglect to
children; and
b. Assist in assessment of the need to place children in out-of-home
care in CA cases where a risk of serious harm to the child exists,
including situations outlined below.
i. Any case in which there is serious professional
disagreement, including disagreement by the foster parent(s),
regarding risk of death, serious injury, out-of-home placement
of a child, or the child’s return home as a result of a decision
to leave a child in the home or to return the child to the home;
The CPT may be told the facts and may opt not to review the
situation, on a case-by-case basis;
ii. Cases in which the risk assessment, following initial
investigation, results in a moderately high or high risk
classification, and the child victim is age six or younger;
iii. In all cases prior to return home or dismissal of dependency,
when the child is age six or younger and any risk assessment
has resulted in a risk level of moderately high or high risk;
iv. Cases that are opened solely on the basis of risk of imminent
harm following initial investigation where there are no
allegations of abuse or neglect; and/or
v. Complex cases where such consultation will help improve
outcomes for children.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-46
B. Requirements
1. Multidisciplinary CPTs provide confidential case staffing and consultation
to CA. Recommendations by CPTs are advisory to DCFS staff, except
when deciding to place a child or return a child home.
a. Each Regional Administrator must establish and maintain one or
more culturally diverse and responsive multi-disciplinary CPTs.
b. Each CPT must consist of at least four persons, selected by the
Regional Administrator, from professions that provide services to
abused and neglected children and/or the parents of such children.
i. Participants may include, but are not limited to, law
enforcement officers, physicians, mental health and
substance abuse counselors, or other mandated reporters of
child abuse and neglect.
ii. In addition, treatment providers, other professionals who play
a significant role with the family, individuals with responsibility
identified in the safety plan, the family, if appropriate (if not
present, their perspective should be represented), foster
parent, and child if over 12 years of age shall be invited.
iii. A written report shall be requested from any providers unable
to attend.
2. Before participating in the business of the CPT, each member must
register with CA as a volunteer.
3. Multi-disciplinary CPTs provide confidential case staffings and
recommendations to CA. Release of information is subject to laws
regarding public disclosure and confidentiality contained in RCW
74.04.060.
4. Each Regional Administrator must develop and implement written
procedures for establishing, convening, and managing the region’s CPTs.
The Regional Administrator must designate a staff person to serve as
CPT coordinator for the region or local area as well as a facilitator for CPT
staffings.
a. With the approval of the Regional Administrator, the CA office may
use other types of community review teams or team members from
other review and consultation teams for CPT under this procedure
when they meet the criteria of this procedure and are willing to staff
cases for the express purposes of this procedure.
b. A person with a personal or fiduciary interest in the outcome of the
case under review may participate as a CPT member in the review of
that case after declaring that personal or fiduciary interest.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-47
C. Procedures
1. CA field staff refers cases for staffing to the CPT through their supervisor.
2. A community professional may schedule a CPT staffing, pursuant to this
policy, with the CPT coordinator when the professional has reviewed and
discussed the issues with the social worker and the supervisor and
wishes to pursue a staffing.
3. Among the responsibilities of the CPT coordinator are:
a. Coordination and management of membership recruitment, training,
scheduling, record-keeping including CPT recommendations,
reporting, and communication for the CPT.
b. Provision of written staffing recommendations to the assigned social
worker and supervisor following the staffing.
c. Maintenance of a tracking system to document activity for staffings
and recommendations.
4. If the social worker decides not to place a child or to return a child home
when the CPT has recommended otherwise, the social worker, the
supervisor, and the Area Manager will consult the Regional Administrator
immediately upon making the decision. DCFS staff will follow the
recommendation of the CPT regarding placement unless the Regional
Administrator specifically authorizes the action contrary to the
recommendation. The supervisor and the Area Manager will report the
Regional Administrator’s decision, in writing, to the CPT, through the
coordinator, within seven working days.
5. The CPT may request the Regional Administrator to review the social
worker’s case plan decision and present additional information to support
a concern for the health, safety, and welfare of the child or the
effectiveness of the DCFS plan. The Regional Administrator or designee
must review the issue and determine if another course of action is
appropriate. The Regional Administrator may also consider minority
opinions when the CPT has been unable to achieve a consensus of
opinion.
6. If the CPT disagrees with the decision of the Regional Administrator, the
team may appeal to the Assistant Secretary.
2563 Military Personnel
CPS service guidelines for on-post military families shall be developed
administratively with the base commander or commander's designee and the
Regional Administrator or designee. Mutually developed written guidelines and
procedures may include, but are not necessary for, off-post families.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-48
2570 Law Enforcement
2571 Mandated Reports to Law Enforcement
A. The social worker or supervisor shall report, as required by RCW 26.44.030(4)
and 74.13.031(3), to law enforcement within 24 hours of receipt of a report by
the department in cases where the response time is labeled "emergent" and
the child's welfare is believed to be in immediate danger. With the exception
of a child fatality, which the social worker or supervisor shall report
immediately, the social worker or supervisor shall notify law enforcement
within 72 hours of receipt of any reported incident of:
1. Sexual abuse.
2. Non-accidental physical injury of a child.
3. Incidents where the investigation reveals reasonable cause to believe that
a crime against a child may have been committed.
B. Unless otherwise agreed in a local written working agreement with law
enforcement, developed in consultation with the Attorney General's Office,
DCFS staff making an oral report to law enforcement shall, within five days of
receipt of the referral, also report in writing. The person making the report
shall file a copy in the department case record or in an administrative file when
no case record exists. A CAMIS Law Enforcement Report or a legibly
completed Report of CA/N, DSHS 14-260(X), may be used to comply with the
requirement for a written referral.
C. Social workers and supervisors are not required by statute to report to law
enforcement instances of CA/N where no criminal misconduct is reported or
discovered. Parenting, child rearing practices, or other life circumstances
which may be reported to the department for social assessment are not
required to be reported to law enforcement when they do not indicate criminal
misconduct against children.
2572 Criminal History Checks
A. Each DCFS office has access to criminal arrest and conviction information
maintained by the Washington State Patrol Identification section. Local social
workers and supervisors make requests following instructions in the CA
Operations Manual, chapter 5000, section 5500. The social worker must
include documentation in the service record that each of the following
conditions exists before making the inquiry:
1. The inquiry is about an alleged perpetrator in an open CPS case.
2. The alleged CA/N incident has been reported to law enforcement as
required by RCW 26.44.030.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-49
3. The information being requested can reasonably be expected to help in
assessing or reducing risk to the alleged victim as mandated in RCW
26.44.050 and RCW 74.13.031.
B. As part of the criminal background check, the worker must contact local law
enforcement agencies, including tribal police if the person resides or has
resided on an Indian reservation or is known to be or may be affiliated with a
particular Tribe.
C. Information gained will be subject to public disclosure policy as outlined in
chapters 43.43 and 10.97 RCW and the CA Operations Manual, chapter
13000, section 13500.
2573 Law Enforcement Assistance
A. A social worker may request the assistance/accompaniment of a law
enforcement officer in situations that may be dangerous to the worker or when
the worker believes a child may need to be taken into protective custody.
B. A social worker may receive children taken into custody under RCW
26.44.050 from law enforcement with a Child Custody Transfer, DSHS 10-
157(X), or an equivalent emergency placement authorization signed by the
authorizing law enforcement officer.
2574 Law Enforcement Agreement
Each CA office must develop a written working agreement with each law
enforcement agency in its catchment area. Such agreements will detail local
mechanisms for handling matters contained in sections 2571 - 2773.
2575 Confidentiality of Records
CA records are confidential, and CA staff must not disclose them to law
enforcement other than as described above. Law enforcement or the prosecutor
may subpoena other information from the CA record. See CA Case Services Policy
Manual, chapter 4000, section 4120.
2576 Conflict of Interest
A. RCW 26.44.190 requires law enforcement agencies not to permit law
enforcement officers to participate in the investigation of alleged abuse or
neglect concerning a child with whom the officer is, or has been a parent,
guardian, or foster parent. See the CA Case Services Policy Manual, chapter
2000, section 2131.
B. To assist the law enforcement agency to meet this requirement, the assigned
CA social worker must inform the law enforcement agency if CA’s records
indicate that the assigned investigating officer is, or has been, a parent,
guardian, or foster parent of the alleged child victim.
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-50
C. If the law enforcement agency continues the investigative assignment with an
officer who is the current foster parent of the alleged child victim, the CA social
worker must remove the child from placement with the investigating officer.
2580 Missing children
A. When CA staff learns that a child for whom the department is providing
services is missing, the staff must ensure that local law enforcement and the
WSP Missing Children Clearinghouse are notified of the child’s absence, and
of any subsequent information we receive related to the child’s whereabouts.
The social worker or intake staff, if appropriate, shall take the following actions:
1. If intake staff receives a call from a parent of guardian, intake staff shall
determine whether the parent or guardian has notified local law
enforcement and/or the Missing Children Clearinghouse of the child’s
absence. If the child’s unauthorized absence is longer than six hours, or
a shorter absence would appear to create a risk to the child, intake staff
shall request that the parent or guardian call law enforcement and the
clearinghouse. Contact information for the clearinghouse is:
Washington State Patrol
Missing Children Clearinghouse
PO Box 2347
Building 17 Airdustrial Way
Olympia WA 98507-2347
Business Hours M-F 8:00-5:00
Voice Mail available after hours
74431.173@compuserve.com
360 586-0030
800 543-5678
360 586-8231 fax
2. Intake staff shall immediately, or at minimum during the same workday,
complete the SER to alert the social worker electronically of the child’s
absence and of any subsequent information received regarding the child.
3. DCFS regions shall maintain protocols for reporting runaways to local law
enforcement. Generally, the protocol shall include the issuance of a
pickup order.
4. When the social worker learns of a child’s unauthorized absence from
home, CRC, or other approved location, or of information related to a
child’s absence from home, the social worker shall confirm the child’s
current status with the parent or guardian. The social worker then
determines if reports have been made to law enforcement and the
clearinghouse. If reports have not been made and the child has been
absent for more than six hours or, if less time, that the absence creates a
risk to the child, the social worker shall ensure that the reports are made
immediately, or at minimum during the same workday.
5. The social worker shall notify law enforcement and the clearinghouse, or
ensure that the parent or guardian has notified law enforcement and the
clearinghouse, once the child has been located and/or returned home or
to placement and shall request that the pickup order be cancelled once
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-51
the child is safe. If intake staff learn of the child’s return, they may cancel
the run report, if appropriate.
2600 CASE REVIEW
2610 Supervisory Review
The supervisor must review all cases open to CPS for 90 days to determine if:
A. The case record and CAMIS file are complete.
B. The service is appropriate and effective.
C. The 90-day rule requirement has been met.
D. The service may continue.
1. The supervisor may consider transfer of cases to continuing CPS or
ongoing CWS when the criteria above have been completed.
2. The supervisor may refer the case back for further investigation.
E. The supervisor must document the reasons for the 90-day review decision in
the CAMIS SER.
2700 RESOLUTION
2710 CASE RESOLUTION/CLOSURE
A. The social worker may close continuing service cases when the problems
resulting in risk of CA/N identified summary assessment form have been
alleviated, and no new factors have been discovered which would increase the
risk of further CA/N.
B. The social worker may close other cases in which there is a continuing risk of
CA/N but which are not likely to be resolved through treatment efforts when:
1. Further voluntary services are not available or accepted.
2. There is no plan to file a dependency petition.
C. The social worker must not close cases for service while a dependency order
or voluntary placement agreement is in effect or within six months of the time a
child is returned to parental care as a result of a dependency order.
2711 Inactive Status
A. Case Closure: Cases where services have ended per section 2710, but
cannot be closed until paperwork and other documentation is completed,
CHILDREN’S ADMINISTRATION PRACTICES AND PROCEDURES GUIDE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 2000: Child Protective Services
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-52
should be designated as "Services Inactive/Paperwork Pending (S) program
assignment for social worker or supervisor".
B. The purpose of this worker assignment is to be able to track the workload
involved in follow-up paperwork (Operations Manual 152022 (F)(4)).
C. The social worker must properly complete all forms and narrative recording
within 90 days of a decision to terminate services and close a case. The
supervisor must review both CAMIS and the folder for accuracy and
completeness and document the review in the CAMIS SER before closure or
transfer to another service.