Child Abuse Reporting Process

How Child Welfare Services (CWS) Handles Reports of Child Abuse or Neglect

Step 1: Emergency Response

• When a report (referral) comes in, an Emergency Response (ER) social worker looks into it.
• They meet with the child, parents, and others to find out what’s happening.
• After the investigation, they decide if the family needs help and what kind of help.
• This could be no services, voluntary services (family agrees to get help), or court-ordered services.
• If a child is in immediate danger, the social worker may remove them from the home for their safety.

Step 2: Support While the Child Stays at Home

If the child can remain safely at home, families may get support through:

Family Preservation Program – Offered before abuse or neglect happens, to prevent it. Usually voluntary.

Family Maintenance Program – Offered after a report is made, to fix unsafe situations while the child stays home.

Services can last up to 12 months (sometimes longer if the family is making progress). These may include:

• Counseling for parents and children
• Parenting classes
• Drug or alcohol treatment programs
• Anger management classes
• Intensive in-home support

Parents must also make sure children have regular medical care, food, clothing, housing, and supervision.

Step 3: If the Child is Removed

If a child has to be removed, a Family Reunification social worker works with the family to fix the problems so the child can come home.

At the same time, CWS plans for another safe, stable living arrangement in case the child cannot return home.

Step 4: Finding a Permanent Home

If reunification is not possible, Permanency Planning social workers look for a long-term solution. Options may include:

• Adoption
• Legal guardianship
• Long-term foster care

The goal is always to make sure the child has a safe, stable, and loving home.