National Study of Child Protective
Services Systems and Reform Efforts

Review of State CPS Policy

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation
and
Administration for Children and Families
Administration on Children, Youth and Families
Children's Bureau

April 2003

This report is available on the Internet at:
http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/cps-status03/state-policy03/

Contents

Executive Summary

Chapters

1. Introduction
   • Background
   • Policy Data Sources
   • Overview of Functional Areas
2. Administrative Structures and Responsibilities
   • Introduction
   • Administrative Structure
   • Functional Responsibilities in Policy
   • Primary Responsibility
   • Shared Responsibility
   • Summary
3. Screening and Intake
   • Introduction
   • Mandated Reporting
   • Intake Criteria
   • Intake Procedures
   • Accepting the Referral or Enlisting Another Agency
   • Notifications
   • Summary
4. Investigation
   • Introduction
   • Abuse and Neglect Definitions
   • Disposition Categories and Definitions
   • Purpose of Investigation
   • Joint Investigations
   • Priority Standards for Beginning an Investigation
   • Requirements Regarding Who is Investigated
   • Assessments
   • Contacts and Timeframe Requirements
   • Results of the Investigation
   • Decisionmaking
   • Notification Requirements
   • Central Registry and Due Process
   • Service Provision During Investigation
   • Summary
5. Alternative Response
   • Introduction
   • Scope of Implementation
   • Goals
   • Purpose
   • Roles of Other Agencies and Contacts
   • Results
   • Decisionmaking
   • Summary
6. Reflections
   • Introduction
   • Mandated Reporters
   • Investigation Purposes and Standards of Evidence
   • Types of Maltreatment
   • Required Timelines
   • Due Process
   • Alternative Response
   • Conclusion

Appendices

1. Methodology
2. List of State Policy Manuals
3. Blank State CPS Policy Review Form (in PDF format only)
4. References

List of Figures and Tables

Figures

• Figure 2-1 Administrative Structure of Child Protective Services.
• Figure 4-1 Required to Provide Short-Term Services During Investigation if Needed.
• Figure 4-2 Investigation Worker Required to Plan for Ongoing Services.

Tables

• Table 2-1 CPS Administrative Structures and Responsibilities
• Table 2-A Agency or Office with Responsibility for Major CPS Functions
• Table 3-1 Summary of Mandated Reporter Categories
• Table 3-2 Summary of Screening and Intake Policies
• Table 3-A Mandated Reporters.
• Table 3-B Criteria for Screening In: Inclusions.
• Table 3-C Criteria for Screening In: Exclusions
• Table 3-D 24-Hour Availability and Required Forms for Referrals.
• Table 3-E Required Timeframes for Accepting a Referral and Forwarding for Investigation.
• Table 3-F Results of Screening.
• Table 3-G Who Decides to Forward the Case?
• Table 3-H Who Must be Notified When Calls are Screened In?
• Table 4-1 Summary of Investigation Policies
• Table 4-A Definitions of Maltreatment
• Table 4-B Disposition Category Features .
• Table 4-C Purpose of Investigation
• Table 4-D Joint Investigation Authority as Explicitly Defined in Statute, Policy and Protocol Features
• Table 4-E Priority Standards for Beginning an Investigation
• Table 4-F Priority Standards and Requirements for Investigation
• Table 4-G Risk Assessments.
• Table 4-H Safety Assessments
• Table 4-I Other Standardized Assessment Requirements
• Table 4-J Investigation Contact Requirements
• Table 4-K Timeframe for Completing Investigation.
• Table 4-L Results of Investigation
• Table 4-M Responsibility for Disposition Decision..
• Table 4-N Who Must be Notified of Disposition Decision
• Table 4-O Central Registry Features.
• Table 4-P Purposes of Short-Term Services During Investigation
• Table 5-1 Summary of Alternative Response Policies.
• Table 5-A Alternative Response Features
• Table 5-B Scope of Implementation..
• Table 5-C Alternative Response Goals.
• Table 5-D Purpose of Alternative Response.
• Table 5-E Role of Other Agencies and Contacts
• Table 5-F Alternative Response-Results
• Table 5-G Alternative Response-Who Decides to Forward the Case?

Background and Acknowledgements

Where to?

Top of Page

Contents of Report

Home Pages:
Human Services Policy (HSP)
Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Last updated: 07/23/03