Handbook Revision, June 25, 2024

These revisions of the Child Protective Services Handbook were published on June 25, 2024.

On September 1, 2017, the investigations branch of CPS became a separate division named Child Protective Investigations (CPI). Until CPI develops its own policy handbook, investigation policies and procedures will remain in the CPS Handbook.

See:

Child Protective Services Revisions

Child Protective Investigations Revisions

Previous Revisions

Child Protective Services Revisions

None

 

Child Protective Investigations Revisions

Alternative Response (PATS 13512)

Changes have been made to add additional guidance regarding safety and risk assessments. These changes reflect new language regarding the home where abuse or neglect is alleged and define which home is to be assessed. There is also added information regarding photographs and audio recordings in Alternative Response (AR) cases. The time frame for ongoing contacts has been changed from seven days to 15 days. Policy is being updated to reflect these changes.

Note: Sections marked with an asterisk (*) below are being renumbered but not revised.

See:

2611 Intakes or Cases Ineligible for Alternative Response (AR)

2611.1 Intakes Ineligible for Alternative Response

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2622.1 First Contact

2622.2 First Face-to-Face Contact

2622.3 Meaningful Contact

2622.4 Notifying and Making Face-to-Face Contact with an Involved Parent

2622.5 Family Member Not Present

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2623 Initial Contact Tasks

2623.1 Initial Tasks

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2623.12 Audio and Video Recordings in an AR Case

2623.13 Photos in an AR Case

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2624 Assessing Ensuring Child Safety

2624.1 Completing the Safety Reassessment Assessment Tool

2624.2 Supervisor’s 15 Day Review of AR Case Actions and Safety Decisions

2624.2 Time Frames for Completing a Safety Assessment Tool

2624.3 Safety Interventions

2624.4 Safety Assessment Discussion Box

2625 2624.3 Completing the Risk Assessment Tool

2625 Ongoing Contacts

2625.1 Time Frames for Completing the Risk Assessment Tool

2626 Supervisor Review of Case Actions and Safety Decisions

2627 2626 Alternative Response Family Agreement Plan

2627.1 2626.1 Completing the Family Agreement Plan

2627.2 2626.2 Documenting the Family Agreement Plan in IMPACT

2626.3 Addressing Dangers to a Child

2628 Ongoing Contacts

2628.1 15-Day Contact

2628.2 30-Day Contact

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2634 Stage Progression Time Frames

2635 Referring a Case to Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS)

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2642 When Not to Allow Extension

2643 Extension Approval Time Frame

2643 2644 Closure Time Frames for Cases with Extension

2650 Case Closure

2651 Required Actions

2652 Closure Time Frames

2653 Action on a Submitted AR Case

2651 Closure Time Frames

2654 2652 Alternative Response Case Closure Notifications

2654.1 2652.1 Exceptions to Providing Case Closure Notifications

2653 Required Actions

2655 2654 Resulting Actions

2656 2655 Submitting an Alternative Response Case for Administrative Closure

2656.1 2655.1 Close – ADMIN – Anonymous Report

2656.2 2655.2 Close – ADMIN – Refuting the Allegations

2656.3 2655.3 Close – ADMIN – Lacks Authority

2656.4 2655.4 Close – ADMIN – Already Investigated