Local CPS Response

Once a report has been accepted and registered at the SCR the following process occurs:

• The report is immediately transmitted to the local CPS agency.
• The local CPS agency is then required to begin their investigation within 24 hours.
• Some reports require emergency action.
• This decision is difficult and at times rests only on the information presented at the time of the report and on the interpretation of this information based on experience in similar situations.
• Most caseworkers will make this decision after speaking to the source of the report and consulting with his or her supervisor.

The investigation performed by the local CPS agency involves two interrelated and simultaneous processes.

1. The first of these is the investigation to determine if there is some credible evidence of abuse or maltreatment.
2. The second of these two processes is the development of a service plan. The local CPS has 60 days to conduct their investigation.

Besides visiting the family, caseworkers may call or visit relatives, schools, doctors, hospitals, police, and any other service provider or agency who might have information about the child.

Local CPS is responsible for assessing the safety, risk, and well-being of the child identified in the report and any other children in the home.

After evaluating the information gathered during the investigation, caseworkers make a determination.

If it is determined that there is credible evidence, evidence “worthy of belief,” the report is indicated and will remain on file at the SCR.

If no credible evidence can be found, the report is unfounded and is sealed. Sealed reports are expunged after a period of ten years from the date of the report.

Determination of reports is a difficult task. No matter how thorough the investigation, sometimes there is no clear evidence of what happened.