2331. Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation

Applies To:  This policy applies to Child Welfare and Licensing Division Child Protective 

Services employees.

Policy Number & Title:  2331. Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation

Effective Date:  July 1, 2024

Purpose 

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance on conducting investigations when intakes are screened-in with allegations of child abuse or neglect (CA/N) or when children or youth are believed to be at imminent risk of harm.

Authority 

Chapter 26.33 RCW  Adoption
RCW 26.44.030  Reports, Duty and authority to make-Duty of receiving agency-Duty to notify-Case planning and consultation-Penalty for unauthorized exchange of information-Filing dependency petitions-Investigation Interviews of children-Records-Risk assessment process.
RCW 26.44.100  Information about rights-Legislative purpose-Notification of investigation, report, and findings
RCW 26.44.185  Investigation of child sexual abuse, Revision and expansion of protocols-Child fatality, child physical abuse, and criminal child neglect cases.
RCW 74.13.031  Duties of department, Child welfare services-Children's services advisory committee.
RCW 74.14B.010  Children's services workers-Hiring and training

Policy 

  1. Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) will complete investigations on screened-in intakes for allegations of CA/N in the following timeframes, unless law enforcement (LE) has determined additional time is needed, per County Child Abuse, Fatality and Criminal Investigations Protocols. For: 
    1. Child Welfare (CW) employees, within 60 days from the date the allegations were reported. 
    2. Licensing Division (LD) CPS employees, within 45 days from the date the allegations were reported. 
  2. Regional administrators (RA) or designee must: 
    1. Develop CPS guidelines with the military base commander or designee for families living on-post within the region. Guidelines and procedures may include off-post families. 
    2. Collaborate with county prosecutors and offices to establish and maintain county child abuse investigation protocols, per RCW 26.44.185.   
  3. LD CPS employees must follow the Investigating Abuse and Neglect in State-Regulated Care Handbook. 
  4. Caseworkers and LD CPS investigators must: 
    1. Contact LE if there is information about a crime that has been committed against a child, youth, or vulnerable adult, or the child’s or youths’ welfare is endangered. 
    2. Determine if there is reason to know a child is or may be an Indian child per the Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Reason to Know policy. 
    3. If the child is or may be an Indian child, follow applicable ICW policies, including: 
      1. Tribal/State Memoranda of Agreement, if there is one in place. 
      2. Active Efforts and Tribal Collaboration.

Resources

Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation procedures (Located in the DCYF Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)  

Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Active Efforts and Tribal Collaboration policy

Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Reason to Know policy

Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Tribal-State Memoranda of Agreement policy

County Child Abuse, Fatality and Criminal Investigations Protocols (located on the DCYF Child Welfare programs law enforcement protocols page)

Investigating Abuse and Neglect in State-Regulated Care Handbook (located on the DCYF Child Welfare Licensing Division page)

Original Date:  September 27, 1995

Revised Date:  July 1, 2024

Review Date:  July 31, 2028

Approved by:  Natalie Green, Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare Division