The Child Protective Hotline worker is responsible for a preliminary determination that a caller’s allegation is sufficient to be accepted as a report of child abuse, neglect, or in danger of abuse.

The Hotline supervisor shall give final approval of report acceptance prior to forwarding the report for investigation; or determine that the report cannot be accepted.

Cross-Reference: 33-6-28, "Supervisory Approval of a Report"

The criteria for accepting a call as a child protective service report are as follows:

• the alleged victim is
• under 18 years of age, or
• under 21 years of age and a DCF client

• the child’s injuries were alleged to be inflicted by a person responsible for the child’s care or by a person given access to the child by a person responsible for the child’s care

• there is sufficient information to locate the child

• the allegation meets the statutory definitions of abuse, neglect, or in danger of abuse.

Legal Reference: CONN. GEN. STAT. §§17a-101; 46b-120.

Operational Definitions

The DCF Operational Definitions provide definitions and examples of child abuse and neglect (see Policy 34-2-7).

Calls are designated as "not-accepted" as a report under the following conditions:

• the call does not meet the above criteria for acceptance
• the call is a duplicate of a previously reported incident and does not require a new, separate investigation
• DCF has no jurisdiction over the child and family since they live out-of-state.

Important Note: Although a call may not be accepted as sufficient for a DCF investigation, the Hotline worker shall make the necessary collateral contacts to ensure appropriate follow-up; e.g., police notification, report to an out-of-state protective service agency.

Documenting Not-Accepted Calls

Calls that are "not-accepted" shall be documented and maintained in the Department’s computer system (LINK) for twelve (12) months after the call has been received.

While a single call may not indicate a need for an investigation, a call in combination with other calls regarding the same person(s) may constitute sufficient grounds for concern.

Mandated reporters may call the Hotline to consult on a situation concerning potential child abuse or neglect, when they are not sure if a report is required.