5.3.18 Delayed Conclusion

Workers shall complete all investigations and family assessments within 30 days, unless good cause for the failure to complete the investigation or assessment is documented in the information system.  Delayed conclusion shall only be used for 15 days past the 30-day conclusion deadline.  Therefore, all investigations/family assessments shall be complete within 45 days.

5.3.18.1  Minimum Contact Standards for Delayed Conclusions

Minimum contact standards must be met after a delayed conclusion date has been entered as described above.

Related Subject: Section 2, Chapter 9.4  Assessment of Risk and Section 2, Chapter 9.5.2  Minimum Contact Standards for In-home Cases

5.3.18.2  Examples of Delayed Conclusions

• Due to change in response track, from family assessment to investigation and law enforcement is assisting in co-investigation.  In this situation, there may be a few days lost in coordinating schedules with law enforcement to interview all subjects named in the report (i.e., the alleged perpetrator) along with collateral contacts.
• Delay in receiving critical medical, psychological, or educational report (verbal report from the Doctor may be documented in the report and concluded prior to receipt of written report).
• Co-investigation with law enforcement in which alleged perpetrator has not been interviewed.
• Family refused to cooperate, law enforcement contacted and awaiting outcome of referral to juvenile court.
• Courtesy request to another county or state, subject of CA/N report not interviewed.

If there is a delay in receiving information from law enforcement, the juvenile office, or other professionals, staff must attempt to obtain the information, documenting all attempts in the case record.  In situations where the information will not be received within 30 days of the report, the supervisor and worker are to take appropriate steps to secure information necessary to complete the CD process and make a determination.

If delays are detected on an on-going basis due to involvement with law enforcement, the juvenile office or other professionals, local CD staff must meet with interdisciplinary investigation team members within their communities, to develop protocol to meet conclusion timeframes.

Additionally, CD must maintain weekly follow-up contacts with law enforcement, juvenile office, other professionals, and/or courtesy county/state agencies to obtain respective written reports.

Related Subject:  Section 2, Chapter 4, Attachment H: Guidelines for Letter to Suspected Perpetrator Regarding Delayed Notification of CA/N Status Determination