Reports are received at the. The reports must contain allegations which fall under specific. parental and or custodial behaviors

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1 Reports are received at the Child hldprotection Hotline (CPH) By Telephone In Writing or In Person 1 2 The reports must contain allegations which fall under specific Criminal and/or Civil Codes These codes define categories of parental and or custodial behaviors that t allow for the involvement of protective services agencies, such as DCFS. 3 4

2 The general categories include but are not limited to reasonable suspicion of Physical Abuse non accidental bodily injury that has been or is being willfully inflicted on a child. Emotional Abuse non physical mistreatment, the results of which h may be characterized by disturbed behavior Sexual labuse the victimization iti i of a child by sexual activities including but not limited to sexual assault, rape, etc. Neglect negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by acts or omissions Severe Neglect includes the failure to protect a child from severe malnutrition or medically diagnosed non organic failure to thrive and/or permit the child and or the child's health to be endangered by intentional failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter or medical care. Exploitation forcing or coercing a child into performing acts which are beyond his/her capabilities (such as being employed for long hours., stealing, panhandling, and or drug sales.) Although many of the reports contain specific allegations within the general categories, some reports do not present clear, current allegations However, based on Family History of prior Protective Services Dependency Court supervision suggesting high risk to the child, especially to a newborn A referral can be opened for an assessment and preventative services 5 6 It is important for the Child Protection Hotline to identify the types of calls which constitute Child Abuse and neglect pursuant to State Law and Structured Decision Making g (SDM). SDM is used to ensure the consistent assessment of the information gathered by our intake evaluators. Structured Decision Making Is A set of tools and processes applied at key decision points to assist in decision making. The Child Protection Hotline utilizes the Structured Decision Making Hotline tool. 7 8

3 The first step of the tool is the screening criteria, which is a listing of jurisdictional allegations of abuse and neglect. If one or more criteria are met, then a response determination must be made. 9

4 To make a response determination, staff utilizes decision trees for each specific allegation. 10

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8 Response Timeframes are Immediate Response (IR) Child is in eminent danger. Examples of Evaluated Out referrals Truancy 5 Day Response (5D) There is no immediate threat of specific harm to the child. Evaluated Out (E/O) Does not constitute child abuse/neglect falling under the jurisdiction of DCFS. Out of Home Abuse Teen/Parent Conflict Custody Disputes DCFS Referral Address Verification System The Referral Address Verification System (RAVS) is designedto helpstaff verify addresses provided by callers and dt determine the office and law enforcement information that go with that address. 16

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10 Right Fax/ESCARS Electronic faxing of Suspected child Abuse Reports to law enforcement, District Attorney and City Attorney. Information for CPH Intake Are you a mandated dtdreporter? Name of your agency, address and telephone number. Mother s name, date of birth, address and telephone number. Father s name, date of birth, address if different than mother s. Child name, date of birth, address, phone number, school child attends, current location of child. Does the child have siblings? Name and date of birth. Other relatives? Suspected perpetrator s name, age, address, telephone number if known. What is the situation? Is there any Domestic Violence in the home? Location of the incident? Who, what, when, where, and how. Frequency of abuse? How many times? Any visible marks, bruises, lacerations, etc. Is the child afraid to return home? Upon completion of referral the Child Protection Hotline Intake Evaluator will provide the mandated reporter with: Referral Number (19 digits) Response time (immediate, 5 day by or evaluated out) Regional DCFS office address and telephone number where case would be handled. Mandated Reporter s Web Site Mandated reporters are being encouraged by the Child Protection Hotline staff to submit their Suspected Child Abuse Reports on line in lieu of mailing in a written report via the NEW MANDATED REPORTER S WEB SITE, located on the DCFS internet, lacdcfs.org. This will eliminate the need for Hotline staff to forward mail in SCARs to the Respective DCFS servicing office. Note: In order to create the Suspected dchild Abuse Report(SCAR) using this Web Site, please allow at least 30 minutes for the referral number that was issued to you by Child Protection Hotline to become activated

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