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Policy Manual

CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATIONS
Conducting the Investigation

34-3-3
Receipt of Report and Assignment to the Investigator

Policy The Regional Administrator shall designate an investigation supervisor to receive and review all reports of abuse, neglect or in danger of abuse prior to assignment to an investigator.

The supervisor shall perform these tasks within established timeframes.

Cross-Reference:  33-6-30, "Transmitting a Report for an Investigation"
Types of Reports The types of reports received in the regional office include the following:
  • the CPS Report Protocol (DCF-2073a & b) transmitted from Hotline
  • written reports (DCF-136) or letters sent to the regional office
  • telephone or in-person reports.
Modification to Response Time If the investigation supervisor believes that the response time should be changed based on additional information available in the regional office, he/she shall obtain the approval of the Program Supervisor prior to implementing the change.
Times for Review and Assignment of a Report The investigation supervisor shall review and assign reports in accordance with the following timeframes:

 

If the Investigation Response Time Is... Then, the Time for Review Is... And the Time for Assignment Is...

2 Hours

Within 15 minutes of receipt

Within one hour of receipt
Same Day (for reports of abuse from schools) Within one hour of receipt Within two hours of receipt

24 Hours

Within one hour of receipt

Within two hours of receipt

72 Hours

On the Same Day as Receipt

On the Same Day as Receipt

    Cross-References:  For information on determining response times, see the following policies:

    33-6-16, "Determining Response Time"
    34-4, "Response Time for Commencement and Completion of an Investigation"
Review of Report Upon receipt of a report, the investigation supervisor shall
  • review the report
  • obtain and review any active or closed records for relevant information
  • obtain the Program Supervisor’s approval if the response time needs to be changed
  • determine if the case requires a bi-lingual worker or an interpreter.
Assignment of the Report The supervisor shall assign the report to the investigator in sufficient time to allow for the commencement of the investigation in accordance with response time policy. (See table above.)
Documentation The investigation supervisor shall ensure that information, actions and decisions are entered into LINK, including the CPS Report Protocol (DCF-2073a & b) and case activity notes.
Reports Received First in Regional Offices When reports are received first in the regional office, the following procedures apply.

 

Type of Call/Report Received in Regional Investigation Unit

Action by Region
Telephone calls or reports of child abuse/neglect Callers should be instructed to contact the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline directly and be provided with the 1-800-842-2288 number.
DCF-136 or a letter If the designated regional investigation supervisor determines that the DCF-136 or letter is a follow-up to a previous oral report, it will be added to the uniform case record in the regional office.

If it is new information, it shall be faxed immediately to the Hotline for assessment and determination of report acceptance.
Walk-in reports The designated regional investigation supervisor shall:
  • collect and document the information on the CPS Report Protocol (DCF-2073a & b)
  • check off the Response Time Matrix
  • immediately fax the report to the Hotline for determination of report acceptance and response time

or

  • assist the person in calling the Hotline from the regional office.

Important Note: For reports requiring a two hour response, the regional supervisor shall immediately assign an investigator to initiate the investigation and then forward the report to Hotline.

 

Connecticut Department of Children and Families                                Effective Date: July 15, 1999  (Revised)