What Happens When You Report
A written record is established regarding all concerns raised in regard to
a child or family, These records provide for cross checking against previous referrals
and sometimes help to develop an overview of the family for a period of time.
If you are under that the information you are providing constitutes a report,
ask the person you are speaking with how the information is to be recorded.
Child Protective Services (CPS) Prioritization -- A report of suspected
maltreatment is prioritized into one of four categories according to the perceived
imminent risk to the child(ren). A range of issues are considered in determining
the reports priority, but include: the information being presented in the report,
prior referrals in regard to the child in question or the child's family, and
the child or children's ages. The priorities, in general terms are:
Priority I: Life threatening situations--Conditions that are imminently
life threatening. The CPS policy is to respond immediately to reports in this
priority, but no later than two hours after receiving the report.
Priority II: Dangerous but not life threatening-- Conditions that are
potentially life threatening and may be imminently threatening to safety or health.
CPS policy dictates a prompt response to reports of this type, but no later than
48 hours.
Priority III: Substandard child care or treatment that has or may result
in injury--Potentially damaging but relatively little imminent danger of serious
injury. CPS policy requires a prompt response, not to exceed 2 working days.
Priority IV: Child care or treatment that may be damaging.--Includes
situations involving minor abuse or neglect or situations in which there is potential
of maltreatment. CPS policy requires a response in not more than 1 work week.
All reports are important and any one report may make the difference to
a child's well being. Prioritization is applied in an attempt to provide for
the best possible utilization of resources and to provide some guidance to CPS
employees as to timelines of response. Priorities are established by CPS personnel
and are reviewed by supervisory staff. If you have a question as to the priority
that is applied to your referral, please ask for clarification.
CPS Intake Investigation/Initial Assessment -- Investigation of the
report includes interviewing the child, parents and others who may help substantiate
whether or not the child has been abused or neglected, is at risk of abuse, and/or
the family is in need of services. Through interview, observation and data gathered,
CPS makes one of three determinations:
Report Unsubstantiated -- No reasonable connection can be formed between
observable conditions and the reported concerns. This does not mean that the family
is not in need of support or preventive services. Families may be referred for
support services, either through the state or through various community organizations.
WHAT & HOW to report
Physical Abuse | Emotional
Abuse | Sexual Abuse | Physical
Neglect | Emotional Neglect
Nature of Abuse | Reporting
Abuse in AZ | Asked About Issues
|
