Timeframes
What are the three timeframes that a report could be assigned as?
Immediate, 24 hours, or 72 hours
TRUE OR FALSE: Just having an allegation on the report warrants a safety intervention.
FALSE. If there is no information that indicates the allegation is valid, it does not become part of the safety intervention.
What type of meeting must DSS hold with a family when the Safety Assessment determines that a TSP is necessary?
CFT (Child and Family Team Meeting)
You arrive at a home to initiate a CPS report. You knock on the door, and no one answers, but you can hear movement and adults talking inside the home. You decide to go ahead and open the door so you can see the children and get your case initiated.
WRONG. A county child welfare worker must NOT enter a home without the permission of the alleged victim child's parent or adult responsible for their care.
The county child welfare worker needs to tour the home and premises where the child ____, _____, and _____.
Eats, sleeps, and plays.
What timeframe do we have to complete the CPS Assessment?
45 days
TRUE OR FALSE: When there is a safe finding on the Safety Assessment, no parent/caretaker signature is required.
TRUE
If the parent cannot identify an appropriate Temporary Safety Provider, what must we do?
Temporary custody of the child must be taken and a Juvenile Petition requesting non-secure custody must be filed by DSS.
The CPS report alleges drug use by the parent. You complete the initiation, and you find no indicators of substance use and the parent is not impaired. You tell the parent that they are required to complete a drug screen to mitigate the allegations, otherwise, DSS will have to remove the children.
WRONG. We cannot coerce, force, or threaten anyone into taking a drug screen. Drug screens must be completed voluntarily by the parent.
If an infant resides in the home, the county child welfare worker must specifically discuss what?
Safe sleep for infants
When does the time clock for initiation begin?
At the time the report is received by Intake.
TRUE OR FALSE: As long as children are safe and their needs are met with a TSP, you can close your case.
FALSE. DSS must remain involved until safety can be assured and the children can be reunified with the family OR until the children are in a legally secure placement. You cannot close a case with a TSP still in place.
While at a home visit, you become suspicious that the parents might be manufacturing methamphetamine as there is a strong odor of ammonia in the home, as well as several plastic soda bottles with tubes coming out the top, and lithium batteries lying around. You address this with the parents by asking them if they are making meth.
WRONG. Policy states that County child welfare staff should not confront a parent about suspicions of methamphetamine manufacturing. They should instead leave the home immediately, report to SWS, and return to the home later with law enforcement to address the concerns.
A County child welfare worker must NOT enter a home without what?
There are 4 possible answers. Name at least 1.
1. Permission of parent or adult responsible for child's care.
2. Reasonable belief that a child is in imminent danger of death or serious physical injury.
3. Accompaniment of LE who has legal authority to enter the home.
4. An order from a court of competent jurisdiction.
Face to face interviews with non-primary caretakers known to be living in the home must be interviewed within what timeframe?
Within 7 days of initiation date
In cases of domestic violence, who do you complete your Safety Assessment with?
Separate Safety Assessments must be completed with the non-offending parent/adult victim and the alleged perpetrator.
What is the name of the document you must complete to assess the appropriateness of a Temporary Safety Provider?
Initial Provider Assessment (DSS-5203)
While initiating a report, the parent refuses to allow you to speak to the child alone. You empathize with the parent and tell them that you understand their concerns, and you agree to interview the child in their presence. After all, we can try again at the next visit.
WRONG: Obstruction or interference with a CPS Assessment includes "refusing the allow the agency to observe or interview the juvenile in private." DSS must file an obstruction/interference petition to proceed. Consult with your SWS immediately!
The home assessment must specifically address three areas per policy. Name at least 1.
1. Fire safety
2. Firearm safety
3. Safe sleep for infants (if an infant resides in the home).
(Page 30 of CPS Assessments Manual)
When you discover information that necessitates LE involvement, how soon must you notify LE and the DA in writing?
Within 48 hours
TRUE OR FALSE: You can only complete one Safety Assessment during your CPS Assessment.
FALSE. Safety Assessments should be completed at the time of initial contact, prior to case decision, prior to removal, prior to return home after a TSP, at any point a new CPS report is received, and at any other point that safety issues are revealed.
After dissolving a TSP, DSS must conduct a home visit with the parent and child within what timeframe?
24 hours after the child's return to the home
You receive a report with allegations of domestic violence in which the mother is the perpetrator against the father. You decide to contact the father first to interview him. You then interview the children and lastly, the mother.
RIGHT. In cases of DV, the sequence of interviews for purposes of initiation must be as follows.
1. Non-offending parent/adult victim
2. Children
3. Alleged perpetrator of DV
TRUE OR FALSE: A home visit must occur within 7 days of initiation.
FALSE. A home visit must occur the same day the report is initiated with the children.