CTC Mod 2 Post Work

Objectives Post-Work LO – Access the CWIS webpage – Identify types of records available in the Statewide Database – Identify questions about expunctions to discuss with a supervisor – Record notes relevant to identifying child abuse and neglect

Agenda Storing and Sharing Case Records Managing Records Keeping a Written Record

Storing and Sharing Case Records

Access to Information The department is responsible for maintaining a statewide database of information. This database helps identify child abuse and neglect through: Eliminating gaps in information Improved accuracy and timeliness of data Modernized processes for transferring cases

Statewide Database Reports of suspected child abuse pending investigation Reports with a status of pending juvenile court or pending criminal court action Indicated and founded reports of child abuse Unfounded reports of child abuse awaiting expunction Unfounded reports accepted for services Reports alleging the need for general protective services General protective services reports that have been determined to be valid Reports of suspected child abuse pending investigation Reports with a status of pending juvenile court or pending criminal court action Indicated and founded reports of child abuse Unfounded reports of child abuse awaiting expunction Unfounded reports accepted for services Reports alleging the need for general protective services General protective services reports that have been determined to be valid Reports alleging the need for general protective services that have been determined invalid and are awaiting expunction A family case record for all reports accepted for investigation, assessment or services Information on reports made to the agency, but not accepted for investigation or assessment False reports of child abuse pursuant to a conviction under 18 pa.C.S. § (relating to false reports of child abuse) Reports alleging the need for general protective services that have been determined invalid and are awaiting expunction A family case record for all reports accepted for investigation, assessment or services Information on reports made to the agency, but not accepted for investigation or assessment False reports of child abuse pursuant to a conviction under 18 pa.C.S. § (relating to false reports of child abuse) The database must include:

Note: False Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect The Child Protective Services Law requires the database to include the maintenance of false reports, to help identify patterns of intentional false reporting, which in turn will allow us to focus our energies on cases of genuine abuse and neglect.

Child Welfare Information Solution The statewide database is housed in the Child Welfare Information Solution (CWIS) CWIS is a case management system that allows for real-time electronic sharing of information

CWIS Training Training specifically relating to the Child Welfare Information Solution will be available Talk to your supervisor about CWIS training Please click on the button below to access CWIS CWIS

Managing Records

Management of Records Management of records in the statewide database ensures the confidentiality, currency, and accuracy of the data it contains. Record management includes amendments and expunctions of unfounded and general protective services reports.

Notifying the Department Amendments and expunctions to records must be timely. The county agency must notify the department immediately upon closure of a case so the report may be expunged as soon as possible.

Expunctions Consider these timeframes established in the Child Protective Services Law:

The individual must have reached the age of 21, or five years must have elapsed since their name was added to the database, whichever is later, if the individual meets all of the following: The individual has not been named as the perpetrator in any subsequent indicated report of child abuse and is not named as an alleged perpetrator in a child abuse report pending investigation. The individual has never been convicted or adjudicated delinquent by a court of an offense under 6344 (c), and no proceeding is pending seeking a conviction or adjudication. The child abuse did not involve the use of a deadly weapon, as defined under 18 Pa.C.S Conditions for Expunging the Records of Perpetrators Under 18 Years

Application What are some questions you have for your supervisor about the county agency’s role in the expunction of case records for various types of reports? Please record your questions here, print them, and bring them to your next supervision. Print

Further Exploration Discuss with your supervisor if, when, and how you would be expected to handle these and other situations regarding expunction of records: As a front line child welfare professional, how do appeals and expunctions processes and requirements impact your work with families? Would you let the alleged perpetrator know that the record will be expunged if a report is unfounded? When working with a youth who was named a perpetrator in an indicated report of abuse at the age of 15, how would you explore the possibility of expunging the record?

Keeping a Written Record

Identifying Child Abuse and Neglect In Charting the Course Module 2, you learned about the legal and medical definitions of child abuse and neglect You also learned about the six domains and gathering information to determine whether a case meets the definition of child abuse Another crucial component is documentation and record-keeping Know the law Know the case/family Record what you know

Record What You Know How you document the work that you do is a highly influential aspect of your job, and may become a key factor in the life of a child Case documentation functions as a legal document in court testimony A clear, concise, and accurate record helps you and your supervisor make informed decisions with the family, and helps your colleagues and other professionals who may come in contact with this family through the life of a case

Competent Documentation Is: Objective Accurate Clear Descriptive Relevant Concise

Let’s Practice Watch this brief clip of a mock interview. As you watch, note key information that is relevant to identifying child abuse and neglect. Your notes should reflect what you learned in CTC Mod 2. Click below to review: Categories of Abuse Key Legal Definitions The Six Domains Indicators of Abuse and Neglect

Let’s Practice Briefly record any information you heard that is relevant to identifying child abuse and neglect. Then, review your documentation. Is it objective, accurate, and clear? Information related to: Categories of Abuse: Key Legal Definitions: The Six Domains: Indicators of Abuse and Neglect: Other:

What Did You Include?  Did you write down Molly’s age?  How often did you say Molly is left home alone?  How did you record Ms. McAbee’s reasoning for leaving Molly home alone?  Did you make a note of the supports available to this family, such as Ms. McAbee’s sister?  Did you record Ms. McAbee’s comment that she feels like she has to leave Molly home alone when she visits Mr. Hazlet?  Did you use exact words, or did you paraphrase Ms. McAbee’s response? Check to see whether you noted these key pieces of information: Learn more about documentation and case notes in CTC Module 4.

Assess Your Notes If Samantha, Sean, or Molly read your notes, how would they feel? How would you feel? After considering your response above, would you make any changes to your documentation?

I Want to Know More For more information and the opportunity to practice, please consider these workshops: 315: Basic Writing Skills 315: Writing Skills for Case Documentation And this online resource: Access the Basic Writing Skills Resource Manual

Review of CTC Mod 2

Now that you have completed Module 2, please review the learning objectives again for this module and identify on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being not at all knowledgeable and 5 being very knowledgeable, your knowledge level regarding this objectives from Module 2. List the nine phases of casework practice. Reference state law to identify child abuse or neglect. Identify potential physical, emotional, and behavioral indicators of child abuse and neglect and their impact on child development and behavior. Identify the medical information that is necessary to make a determination of abuse and methods of documenting this information. Use information gathered in the six domains to assist in identifying child abuse and neglect. Describe at least one strategy for self-care that child welfare professionals can use to cope with stress and exposure to trauma.