Child Protective Investigation Very Complex First Responder Job: Substance Abuse, Mental Illness, Domestic Violence, Extreme Poverty, Physical Abuse, Sexual Molestation, Torture, Complex Medical Neglect, and Life Threatening Neglect Largely Grounded in Parental Trauma

Hotline Establish Jurisdiction/Review Prior Intake Document and transmit allegations –Immediate Response –Twenty Four Hour Response Criminal Background Checks Unit: FDLE/FBI Special Conditions –Parent Needing Assistance –Foster Care Referrals –Child on Child Abuse –Caregiver Unavailable Transmit via FSFN FSFN links all subjects

Practice Standards: One Background Checks: All household members 12 and older Immediate or 24 Hour Response Diligent Attempts to see alleged victim and all other children (daily) Immediate Notification of Law Enforcement if crime alleged

Practice Standards: Two Interview with alleged victim and all children in household (for small children at eye level) Interview all household members Observations and Interactions of alleged victim and all other children –Physical –Emotional –Developmental –Behavioral

Practice Standards: Three Child Safety Assessment Development of Safety Plan Collateral Contacts –Neighbors –Doctors –Teachers –Day Care Child Protection Team: Forensic medical, developmental and behavioral assessment

Practice Standards: Four Supervisory Review Second Party Review with Administrator - 4 or under - Non-verbal - Prior reports Weigh evidence and make findings Childrens Legal Services Staffing: For Legal Sufficiency –In-Home Dependency –Shelter

Practice Standards: Five Early Services Intervention: Transfer to CBC Case Management –Clear case ownership at all times –Multi-disciplinary planning: Substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence experts; Family Intervention Specialists –Engage in services; not just referrals –Blow whistle when services fail –Close the loop and plan next steps when services fail