Applies To: This policy applies to child welfare (CW) employees.
Policy Number & Title: 2332. Child Protective Services Family Assessment Response
Effective Date: June 9, 2022
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance on completing a Child Protective Services (CPS) Family Assessment Response (FAR). FAR is a CPS alternative response to a screened-in allegation of abuse or neglect. FAR focuses on children and youth safety along with the integrity and preservation of families when lower risk allegations of maltreatment have been screened-in for intervention.
Authority
Chapter 26.33 RCW Adoption.
RCW 26.44.010 Declaration or Purpose
RCW 26.44.020 Definitions
RCW 26.44.030 Reports, Duty and Authority, Duty of Receiving Agency, Duty to Notify, Case Planning and Consultation, Penalty for Unauthorized Exchange of Information, Filing Dependency Petitions, Investigations, Interviews of Children, Records, and Risk Assessment Process
RCW 26.44.031 Records, Maintenance and Disclosure, Destruction of Screened-Out, Unfounded, or Inconclusive Reports, Rules and Proceedings for Enforcement
RCW 26.44.170 Alleged child abuse or neglect, Use of alcohol or controlled substances as contributing factor, Evaluation
RCW 26.44.195 Negligent treatment or maltreatment, Offer of services, Evidence of substance abuse, In-home services, Initiation of dependency proceedings
RCW 26.44.260 Family Assessment Response
RCW 26.44.270 Family Assessment and Recommendation of Services
RCW 26.44.272 Family Assessment, Assessment for Child Safety and Well-being, Referral to Preschool, Child Care, or Early Learning Programs and Communicating with and Assisting Families
RCW 74.13.020 Definitions
RCW 74.13.031 Duties of Department, Child Welfare Services and Children's Services Advisory Committee
Policy
- The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) must:
- Assess families in response to screened-in allegations of abuse or neglect and evaluate the safety of children and youth to determine if services are needed for the family to improve or restore family well-being.
- Contact law enforcement if there is information about a crime that has been committed against a child, youth, or vulnerable adult, or the children or youths’ welfare is endangered, per the DCYF Administrative 2.01 Mandatory Reporting Requirements policy.
- Caseworkers must include tribes in case planning if children or youth are determined by the tribe to be a member or the biological child of a member and eligible for membership, per the Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Tribal Inquiry policy.
- Area administrators (AAs) must resolve any disagreements regarding the pathway of a CPS FAR intake.
Resources
Child Protective Services Family Assessment Response procedures (Located in the DCYF Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)
DCYF Administrative 2.01 Mandatory Reporting Requirements policy
Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Tribal Inquiry policy
Original Date: December 1, 2011
Revised Date: June 9, 2022
Review Date: June 9, 2026
Approved by: Frank Ordway, Chief of Staff