Attachment C: Courtesy Requests

During the course of an Investigation or a Family Assessment, it may be necessary to request courtesy interviews from other County/Circuit Offices or from another state CPS agency in order to complete a CA/N report.  Courtesy requests may be made under the following circumstances:

• To make the required face-to-face contact with victims or other children in the household within mandated timeframes;
• To make face-to-face contact with an alleged perpetrator;
• To obtain face-to-face interviews from other significant individuals for the purpose of making a determination;
• To confirm the safety and well-being of children of families who have reportedly moved out of the state;
• To Collect or obtain signed documents. (authorization for release or information; signed safety plans or Written Service Agreement…etc.)

Courtesy Request Form (CPS-2)

1. Staff requesting courtesy interviews in Missouri will make contact by phone first to assure acceptance.  Requesting staff should contact the local office to request a supervisor/designee to accept or assign the courtesy.
2. Staff requesting courtesy interviews out-of-state will make phone contact with the appropriate state child protective services agency and proceed in arranging an assist according to that state’s procedure.
3. Some situations may require after-hour/ on-call staff to respond immediately.  In such situations the requesting worker will contact CANHU to have an on-call worker contacted.
4. Once requesting staff has been connected with the staff conducting the courtesy or supervisor/designee assigning the courtesy, the necessary timeframes or need for the assurance of safety should be discussed; (be sure to ask for an E-mail address or fax number as to where the CPS-2 can be sent).
5. After assuring acceptance by phone, staff requesting the courtesy will fill out the top portion of a CPS-2 and E-mail it (as an attachment) or fax it to the Children Division’s office or other state child protective agency who will be conducting the courtesy.
6. Requesting staff will request confirmation that courtesy staff received the CPS-2 by fax or E-mail, to assure that time frames are met or safety is assured by the requested staff.
7. Requested information should be clearly stated, including specific deadlines, reports, releases or other documentation that may need to be collected.
8. The courtesy staff will a) conduct the tasks requested; b) fill out the bottom portion of the CPS-2; c) clearly document time, dates and location of all interviews conducted; d) attach appropriate documents; and e) E-mail, fax or mail the documents to the requesting staff.
9. Continued communication by telephone may be required when the information is needed quickly to expedite the investigation or to give staff information quickly to assure child safety or meet required timeframes.

Attach the CPS-2 and all attached documents to the appropriate section of the CA/N report (CPS-1) or case record.

• Courtesy Requests for interviews may also be received from other County/Circuit offices or from another state CPS agency and should be handled as required by the requesting county/ circuit office or state.

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

CD05-35, CD05-54

Memoranda History: