| Policy |
All reports of alleged abuse, neglect, or in
danger of abuse shall be prioritized, assigned and investigated within specified
timeframes. |
| Definitions |
The commencement of an
investigation occurs when the investigator attempts to make face-to-face
contact with the parent or person responsible for the child's care, and/or with the
child(ren). The completion of an investigation
occurs when the investigator has interviewed each family member, including the parents,
other adults and all children in the home as well as necessary collateral contacts and
determines that the report is substantiated or not substantiated. |
| Response Times for Commencement of Investigation |
The table below presents the required response
times for the commencement of an investigation. Important Note: The
response times are calculated from the time of approval of the report by the Hotline
supervisor.
The designated times assist in prioritizing investigations. In all cases,
investigations should commence as soon as possible.
| If the report of child abuse or neglect is determined to
be... |
Then, the response time for commencing an investigation
is... |
| A situation in which failure to respond immediately could
result in the death of, or serious injury to, a child |
2 hours |
| A report of abuse from a school |
Same Day (see exception below) |
| A non-life threatening situation which is severe enough to
warrant a same day response to secure the safety of the child and to access the
appropriate and available witnesses |
24 hours |
| A non-life threatening situation which, because of the age
or condition of the child, indicates that a timely response is required |
72 hours |
|
| |
|
| Reports of Abuse Received from Schools |
Except as noted below, when a school
makes a report that a child has been abused or is fearful of returning home, the report
shall be prioritized for a same day response. The Hotline worker shall request that
the child be detained at the school until the DCF investigator arrives to interview the
child. Exception:
An exception to the above may be made taking into account the child's safety in
conjunction with the reporting school system. Such an exception must be approved by
a DCF Program Director, and fully documented in the LINK record.
|
| Times for Review and Assignment |
The Investigation Supervisor shall adhere to the
following times for review of a report and assignment to an investigator:
| If the Investigation Response Time Is... |
Then, the Time for Review Is... |
And the Time for Assignment to an Investigator 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 |
|
| |
|
|
