2540. Investigative Assessment

Policy Number & Title:  2540. Investigative Assessment

Effective Date: May 31, 2002

Authority

RCW 26.44.020  Definitions.
WAC 110-30-0030  What is child abuse or neglect? 

Policy

  1. The Investigative Assessment (IA) must be completed in FamLink within 60 calendar days of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) receiving the intake.
  2. A complete Investigative Assessment will contain the following information:
    1. A narrative description of:
      1. History of child abuse or neglect (CA/N) prior to the current allegations, includes victimization of any child or youth in the family and the injuries, dangerous acts, neglectful conditions, sexual abuse and extent of developmental/emotional harm.
      2. Description of the most recent CA/N including severity, frequency and effects on child or youth.
      3. Protective factors and family strengths.
    2. Structured Decision Making Risk Assessment (SDMRA) tool.
    3. Documentation that a determination has been made as to whether it is probable that the use of alcohol or controlled substances is a contributing factor to the alleged abuse or neglect.
    4. Disposition; e.g., a description of DCYF case status.
    5. Documentation of Findings regarding alleged abuse or neglect. Findings will be based on CA/N codes designated in the intake according to the following definitions:
      1. Founded means: Based on the Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation, available information indicates that, more likely than not, child abuse or neglect did occur as defined in WAC 110-30-0030.
      2. Unfounded means: The determination following an investigation by CPS that, based on available information, it is more likely than not that child abuse or neglect did not occur or there is insufficient evidence for DCYF to determine whether the alleged child abuse did or did not occur as defined in WAC 110-30-0030. RCW 26.44.020.
      3. If a court in a civil or criminal proceeding, considering the same facts or circumstances contained in the DCYF case being investigated, makes a judicial finding by a preponderance of the evidence or higher that the subject of the pending investigation has abused or neglected the child or youth, DCYF shall adopt the finding in its investigation.
      4. When a criminal or civil finding differs from an unfounded finding on a completed investigation or closed case, DCYF will, upon request, consider the changing the CA/N finding to founded.

Resources

Investigative Assessment procedure (Located in the DCYF Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)

Structured Decision Making Risk Assessment policy

Original Date:  May 31, 2002

Revised Date:

Review Date:

Approved by: