Response Priorities

The Department will use the following priorities for responding to allegations of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. If a variance is necessary from these response priorities, it will be documented in the family’s case file with a description of action taken, and will be reviewed and signed by the Child and Family Services Supervisor. (7-1-25) 01. Priority I. The department will respond immediately if a child is in immediate danger involving a life-threatening or emergency situation and for cases of sexual abuse when a child may have contact with the alleged perpetrator. Law enforcement will be notified and requested to assist. Every attempt will be made to coordinate the department’s assessment with law enforcement’s investigation. The child will be seen by a family services worker, law enforcement, and medical personnel if applicable, immediately unless written regional protocol agreements direct otherwise. All allegations of physical abuse of a child through the age of six (6) or with profound developmental disabilities will be considered Priority I unless there is reason to believe that the child is not in immediate danger. (7-1-25) 02. Priority II. A child is not in immediate danger but allegations of abuse, or neglect are clearly defined in the referral. The child will be seen by the family services worker within forty-eight hours (48) of the department’s receipt of the referral. Law enforcement must be notified within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of all Priority II referrals. (7-1-25) 03. Priority III. A child may be in a vulnerable situation because of services needs which, if left unmet, may result in harm, or a child is without parental care for safety, health and well-being. A family services worker must respond within three (3) calendar days and the child will be seen by the worker within five (5) calendar days of the department’s receipt of the referral. (7-1-25) 04. Notification of the Person Who Made the Referral. The department must notify the person who made the child protection referral of the receipt of the referral within five (5) days, unless notification is declined. (7-1-25) 05. Disclosure of Information to Professionals. The Department has the discretion to disclose, on a need-to-know basis, minimally necessary information to individuals who are professionally involved in the ongoing care of the child who is the subject of a report of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. This includes information that the professional needs to know in order to fulfill their role in maintaining the child's safety and well-being. This provision applies to: (7-1-25) a. Physicians, residents on a hospital staff, interns, and nurses; (3-15-22) b. School teachers, school staff, and day care personnel; and (3-15-22) c. Mental health professionals, including psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers. (3-15-22)