13 CSR 35-31.020 - Screening and Classification of Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline Reports
(1) The
division shall utilize protocol based upon structured decision-making
principles for classification purposes of all child abuse and neglect reports
received by the Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline Unit ("Hotline"). The protocols
developed by the division shall obtain and classify information, and shall give
priority to ensuring the safety and well-being of the child.
(2) All child abuse and neglect reports
received by the Hotline shall be initiated within twenty-four (24) hours of
receipt and shall be classified based upon the reported safety risk and injury
to the child, including, but not limited to, the following factors:
(A) If there is serious physical abuse
alleged and siblings remaining in the home;
(B) If there is a child fatality due to
alleged abuse or neglect and siblings remain in the home;
(C) If there is alleged physical abuse
currently occurring;
(D) If there
are injuries or symptoms of injuries evident that require immediate medical
care, or if the child is in need of immediate psychiatric care due to alleged
abuse;
(E) If there were severe or
inhumane measures used;
(F) Does
the alleged perpetrator have access to the child in the next twenty-four (24)
hours or is the child afraid to go home;
(G) Did the alleged abuse occur within the
last thirty (30) days;
(H) If the
child is currently in a protected environment;
(I) If the current situation is immediately
dangerous;
(J) If there are prior
non-harassment child abuse or neglect reports;
(K) If the allegation is one of educational
neglect only;
(L) If the child is
exhibiting severe emotional trauma or physical injury due to alleged sexual
abuse;
(M) If the child appears
seriously ill or injured or in need of immediate care;
(N) If the child has a chronic illness or
injuries that require attention.
(3) In all cases, the division must have
face-to-face contact with all children in the alleged victim's household within
seventy-two (72) hours.
(4) CA/N
Screen-In Criteria-Criteria concerning whether a call is classified as a child
abuse and neglect (CA/N) report or a documented call (DOC). If the call is
screened-in, it will be accepted as a CA/N report and sent to the county
office. If the call is screened out, the call will be documented and entered
into the database, but no further action will be taken, unless the division,
pursuant to policy decides to refer it for appropriate community
service.
(5) Track Assignment
Guidelines-Criteria designed to determine if the screened-in CA/N report will
require the investigation response or family assessment response. After
response assignment, the report is sent to the local division office for
review. The local division office has the option to change the response
assignment, given additional information or prior history with the
family.
(6) Response
Priority-Criteria to determine the time frame in which the family should be
contacted. Each investigation will be classified as a three (3) hour,
twenty-four (24) hour, or seventy-two (72) hour call, based upon information
received by the hotline. Face-to-face contact can be made by members of the
multidisciplinary team (mandated reporters such as juvenile officer, or law
enforcement personnel). Initial contacts can include phone calls or contact
with appropriate persons in an attempt to make a home visit. Each level will
require face-to-face contact based upon the following:
(A) Three (3) hour-Face-to-face contact with
victim(s) listed on the report must be made within three (3) hours from the
receipt of the report. A face-to-face contact with all other children living in
the household must be made within seventy-two (72) hours. Available resources
shall be utilized to locate the children, including law enforcement
assistance;
(B) Twenty-four (24)
hour-Face-to-face contact with victim(s) listed on the report must be made
within twenty-four (24) hours from receipt of the report. A face-to-face
contact with other children residing in the home must occur within seventy-two
(72) hours;
(C) Seventy-two (72)
hour-Face-to-face contact with all children (victims and home residents) must
be made within seventy-two (72) hours from receipt of the report.
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
No prior version found.