2.1 Reports Received at the Child Abuse / Neglect Hotline Unit (CANHU)
When the Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline Unit (CANHU) receives a call or letter with allegations of child abuse/neglect, the CANHU Children’s Service Worker will interview the reporter and through a Structured Decision Making Screening Process, will collect enough information to determine if the allegations will be categorized as the following:
- A report of child abuse or neglect;
- Mandated reporter referral;
- A physician/health care provider requests a "Newborn Crisis Assessment".
- A non-caretaker referral;
- A possible preventive services referral;
- A Non-CA/N child fatality; or
- Other.
NOTE: At the time of the report, CANHU will inform the Mandated Reporter whether the information taken will be accepted as a hotline report or will be sent to the county office as a referral.
2.1.1 Information Obtained From The Reporter
The Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline Unit (CANHU) may accept reports via a direct call or by letter. When CANHU receives a report the person accepting the call will interview the reporter and collect enough information to determine if the allegations should be categorized based on the following:
- Address, home and work phone numbers of the reporter.
- Identity of child, his/her parents or parent substitutes, and other family members.
- Identity of alleged perpetrator and if he/she is responsible for the child's care, custody, and control. (See discussion of Care, Custody and Control in this attachment.)
- Present location of child, address and directions to the home.
- Other means of locating the family.
- Description of the abuse/neglect incident including time and place of incident or reason for suspecting that the child may be subjected to conditions resulting in abuse or neglect.
- Any event that precipitated the report.
- Determination of immediate danger to the child.
- Status and number of other children living in the home.
- Status and number of other children receiving care in the home.
- If subjects are aware of hotline referral being made.
- If complaint involves a baby-sitter or unlicensed child care provider, the number of full-time, part-time, and drop-in children cared for.
- Any indication of physical violence against any other household or family member.
Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 1/31/07)
CD04-01, CD05-35, CD06-34, CD07-05