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Regional Offices: Integrated Approach
Regional Manager
Employment Services
Supervisors
Social WorkerSupervisors
Adult ServicesSupervisors
EmploymentResource
Specialists/IVsSocial Workers Social Workers
What happens when a report is made to CWS in SLO County?
Reporting Party Calls in
(805) 781-KIDS
CWS Intake
Intake SW decides first face-to-face
Response Path
Collaborative Response
(10 day response) Moderate to High Risk
Community Response
NO known safety issuesLow Risk
Written feedback
to Mandated Reporters
only.
CWS Response (24 hr response)
High toVery High Risk
Child Welfare ServicesIntake
Hotline – 781-KIDS(5437) 24/7 coverage
Taking the report – the social worker will ask the person making the report a series of questions to evaluate the allegations of child abuse.
Screening decision – based on the information provided the social worker will decide whether to evaluate out a referral or screen in for an investigation.
Response path and priority:Community Response – 10-day Collaborative Response – 10-dayCWS Response – Immediate ( 24 hours)
Child Welfare Services Intake Outcomes
If allegation does not meet the legal definitions of abuse and neglect:Evaluated Out – No further action is taken; orEvaluated Out – Community Response
If allegation does meet the legal definitions of abuse or neglect: Collaborative Response; orCWS Response
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Emergency Response Immediate – 10 day Response
Engagement efforts – Mandated Reporter and Family
Safety Assessment: Is there imminent danger of serious harm? Are caregivers able to take actions of protection?
Active Investigation– standards set by California’s Department of Justice
Risk Assessment: Completed at the close of an investigation to estimate the family’s risk of future
abuse or neglect and to guide the worker’s decision to open a case for services
Emergency Response OutcomesNo safety threats were identified at the time.
Allegation Unfounded – referral closedSafety threats were identified, however after an
investigation was completed the social worker was not able to substantiate due to lack of evidence. Inconclusive
One or more safety threats are present; however, with a safety plan and safety interventions the child can remain with their family. Allegation substantiated – Family Maintenance
One or more safety threats are present; therefore, placement and out of home care is needed for the safety of the child. Allegation substantiated – Family Reunification
Safety-Organized Practice
Safety is: Actions of protection taken by the caregiver that mitigate the danger demonstrated over time.
Adapted from Boffa, J., and Podesta, H. (2004) Partnership and risk assessment in child protection practice, Protecting Children, 19(2): 36–48. Turnell, Andrew & Susie Essex Working with Denied Child Abuse, Open University Press, 2006
Department of Social ServicesOutcomes
Self-Sufficiency Safety Permanency
http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/dss