4.7.1 Gather Sufficient Information | 4.7.2 Risk and Safety Decisions
The case determination is guided by the safety and risk assessments. As described in Chapter 3, risk and safety assessments begin at the first contact any Department or POS worker has with the family and continue throughout the life of the case. Safety and risk assessments determine which (if any) issues threaten the safety of the child (CERAP), which if any issues suggest the child might be at risk in the future (Risk Assessment Protocol), and what protective measures and/or services should be utilized to protect the child.
Investigative determinations are guided by evidence obtained by the CPSW. Within 14 days of an SCR report the CPSW with supervisory consultation, determines to unfound at the initial stage or proceed to a formal investigation. This is a critical decision that is based upon the applicable allegation(s) and the criteria for a good faith report as defined in Procedures 300.40 b) 1).
At the conclusion of each investigation, the CPSW and supervisor determine whether sufficient evidence was obtained to support a finding. If there is sufficient evidence, the report is "indicated." If the evidence has not met the criteria for an "indicated" finding and the supervisor has assessed that no further activities are required by the CPSW, the report is "unfounded." The final finding determines whether and for what time period the Department maintains records at SCR about families, and what legal authority might be brought to bear to protect the child.
While these assessments and determinations are presented in this document as being separate, they are interrelated and interdependent, and information to make both is gathered concurrently by the CPSW.
Prior to making a final finding, the CPSW must have gathered sufficient information on which to base the finding. Pertinent information that must be considered include:
The CPSW should use the Safety Determination Form (1441) and Risk Assessment (1440) as guides to focus on that information which is relevant and material.
Risk and safety decisions are derived from the on-going analysis of information gathered according to criteria established for the Child Assessment Risk Protocol (CERAP) and the Risk Assessment Protocol. Risk assessments are aided by knowledge of specific facts and accurate interpretation of their meaning.
This analysis by the CPSW and supervisor is the process of careful examination and scrutiny of key information. It is the shared decision-making that increases the probability of objective interpretation of factual evidence. The analysis is informed by the CPSW and supervisor's professional knowledge about patterns of behavior in the context of safety, crisis, stress, family dynamics, family history and the like.
As previously stated, maltreatment and the risk of maltreatment is the interaction of present risk factors. Thus, critical information for analysis in determining the level of risk and intervention services shall include the following:
Premeditation/intent (Was the incident "planned" or did it occur spur of the moment? What was the stated intent of the alleged perpetrator's actions?) Intent is reviewed as to the maltreatment factors and not in making a final determination.
-- Relatives and others given by the family
4.7.1 Gather Sufficient Information | 4.7.2 Risk and Safety Decisions