1.2 Child Abuse/Neglect (CA/N) Referrals

Calls made to the Child Abuse or Neglect Hotline do not always meet the statutory requirement of a CA/N Report. Most of these calls fall into the Non-CA/N Referral category.

If the following criteria exist, the information does not meet the legal definition of a CA/N “report” and will be forwarded to the county as a referral.

Alleged victim is child is age 18 or over and in CD custody;
Care, custody, and control is not established;
No specifics as to abuse/neglect; no adverse action to child;
No identifiable information regarding location of child or family;
Drug exposed infant;
Non-CA/N child fatality (STAT only)

It is understood that a Children’s Service Worker’s (CSW) response to a referral may involve varied contacts and responses. These responses range from a single contact with the reporter to the actual removal of a child. County staff will record and enter into the CA/N automated system all actions taken by the Children’s Service Worker.

Actions taken by the Children’s Service Worker may include:

Contact with the reporter, shared information;
Call/contact with the family only;
Home visit with the family;
Call/contact with law enforcement/juvenile office;
Contact with Bureau of Special Health Care Needs (BSHCN);
Children’s Division (CD) linkage of family to community resources;
Result in open FCS case;
Result in formal CA/N report;
Result in formal CA/N report due to adverse affect on other household children who were not originally listed on referral;
Collateral contact;
Meeting with parent and child at hospital;
Child taken into custody - placed in Alternative Care (safety issues);
Child taken into custody - non-CA/N situation – parent is incapacitated due to illness or mental health concerns;
Child placed in Alternative Care (beyond parental control); and
Other (explain in comments).

Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 1/31/07)

CD04-01, CD04-97, CD05-35, CD05-40, CD05-50, CD05-68, CD05-72, CD06-34