DCYF Intake 

DCYF Intake screens more than 100,000 calls a year. While most calls are about potential abuse or neglect of children and youth, some are also parents or community members requesting services. Not every call alleging abuse or neglect screens in for CPS Intervention. Only reports that meet the statutory definition for Washington state will be assigned to a CPS pathway. View the Child Welfare Overview 2024 to see the volume of calls, responses, and data related to open child welfare cases.

Child Protective Services

When a report includes an allegation of abuse and/or neglect and meets the minimum Washington Administrative Code (WAC) for abuse, then the report will be assigned to a CPS pathway for Investigation or Family Assessment Response (FAR). When a report of suspected  abuse or neglect involves a potential crime against a child, the information will be sent to law enforcement. Even though CPS caseworkers and the police work together, they conduct separate assessments. CPS focuses on assessing the safety of the child or youth and the needs of the family.  Law enforcement determines whether or not a crime has occurred and if criminal charges should be filed.  

Protective Custody

When a child or youth is in imminent danger of physical harm due to abuse or neglect, law enforcement can place the child or youth in protective custody. Custody is then temporarily transferred to CPS and placed with a relative, suitable other, or in foster care. By law, a child can be kept in protective custody for no more than 72 hours, excluding weekends and legal holidays. If the child is not returned to the parents or some other voluntary arrangement made within 72 hours, the matter must be reviewed by a court. 

Child and Family Welfare Services

When court intervention is needed to protect children and youth from harm in their home, a dependency petition may be filed. Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) provides case management and services to children and youth and their families after a dependency petition is filed. CFWS services are intended to prevent family separation and support reunification of the child or youth to the family home. Caseworkers meet monthly with each child or youth, parent, and any household members to assess their strengths and needs and develop a case plan. CFWS cases remain open until the dependency petition is dismissed. The dependency can be dismissed after the child or youth is returned home and court-ordered conditions are met, or after a guardianship or adoption is ordered by the court. 

Parental Rights

In a minority of cases, children or youth do not return to their family home following a dependency. A guardianship may be established, and they will remain in the permanent legal custody of another adult. In other cases, parental rights are terminated through a court proceeding making the child or youth legally free. If a parent voluntarily gives up their parental rights, the process is called relinquishment.  When parental rights are terminated or relinquished, the parent no longer has any rights and responsibilities toward the child or youth. Children or youth who are legally free, may be adopted or have a guardianship ordered.