Chapter VIII:Protective Services 1407 – STRUCTURED INTAKE

A. Screening Policy and Procedures

IX. SCREEN OUT TOOL

SCREEN OUT	ASSUMPTIONS	EXCEPTIONS/EXAMPLES
Dirty Home	Child’s welfare must not be at substantial risk of harm; handled by family, community agencies, and landlords.	Health Hazard: Excessive garbage or rotted food that threatens health; excessive human/animal waste which poses a health threat.
No Electricity	Poverty is not a reason to intervene. Parent is providing minimally for child; handled by family, community agencies.	Direct Health Threat: Child who needs an apnea monitor
Homelessness	Poverty is not a reason to intervene. Parent is providing minimally for the child; handled by family, shelters.	Child’s basic needs not being met: Homelessness is chronic; caregiver’s substance abuse contributes to the problem; child not attending school; not receiving adequate nutrition or medical care
Head Lice	Health Issue; handled by health department, school nurse.	Pattern of neglect: Child has untreated head lice or repeated infestations; child missing an extensive amount of school due to problem
Child’s Poor Hygiene	Child’s welfare must not be at substantial risk of harm; handled by parents.	Allegations of CA/N/D: Child has become object of ridicule due to degree or duration of uncleanliness; child’s health is affected
Clothing Issues	Poverty is not a reason to intervene; handled by parents, community agencies.	Health Hazard: Child exposed to elements; inadequately covered; repeated illness due to exposure
Truancy/Educational Neglect	Schools have compulsory education laws; handled by schools.	Allegations of CA/N/D: Caregiver is contributing to truancy; child wants to attend school but caregiver is not enrolling child or preventing child from attending
Lack of Supervision	Child is able to care for self; handled by parents.	Harm or potential harm exists because of being left alone: Being alone overnight; alone for extended period and no resources for child; child out in community unsupervised or supervised by inappropriate caregiver; young child playing with dangerous objects or in dangerous places without intervention
Drug House	Child’s welfare must not be at substantial risk of harm; illegal drug use/distribution handled by law enforcement.	Allegations of CA/N/D: Parent provides drugs to child; child employed as part of operation; child at risk due to inadequate supervision; child at risk due to raids and/or drug disputes; child has access to weapons; young child has easy access to the drugs; exposure to a methamphetamine laboratory.
Domestic Violence	Child’s welfare must not be at substantial risk of harm.	Allegations of CA/N/D: Child has tried to intervene or has been threatened or injured; child has witnessed or been exposed to DV; behavior changes in child; history of DV; repeated police involvement; increase in frequency of violence or escalation into serious violence; mental illness or substance abuse issues present; weapons are present or have been used
Lack of Prenatal Care	Not part of child abuse/neglect laws at this time; handled by health professionals.	Allegations of CA/N/D: Other children in the home with allegations of child maltreatment.
Lack of immunizations	Not CPS issue. Public health issue. School attendance/day care center requirements; handled by schools, health department	Allegations of CA/N/D. If the reporter is making allegations that the child is currently experiencing health risks as a result of the absence of immunizations, this report would be accepted for CPS assessment.
Age Appropriate Sexual Activity	Sexual curiosity is part of normal child development; handled by parents	Allegations of CA/N/D: Sexual activity accompanied by violence, threats, coercion. Significant age difference. Reports alleging sexualized behavior not consistent with the child’s developmental level, absent a protective response, would be accepted for CPS assessment, focusing on the parent’s level of supervision.

Operation of an ATV in violation of age restrictions	Not CPS issue. Law Enforcement issue. Report to LE.	Allegations of CA/N/D
Child under the age of 12 afraid to go home.	Not done well in school and expecting to be disciplined, not CPS issue	Allegations of CA/N/D
Parents pick up their children smelling of alcohol or were cited for Driving While Impaired (DWI)	Not a CPS issue.	Allegations of CA/N/D. If the parent is obviously impaired, stumbling and unable to drive and the use of alcohol impacts their ability to provide proper care and supervision.

A. Screening Policy and Procedures

The purpose of the screening criteria is to help determine whether a report should be accepted for CPS assessment. When a report alleges that a child is a victim of any form of abuse, neglect, or dependency, the report should be accepted for CPS assessment.

The screening criteria focus on the types of cases that should not be assessed, absent an allegation of child abuse/neglect/dependency (CA/N/D). The screen out chart is a simple tool designed to highlight typical types of referrals that are considered inappropriate and should be screened out.

The screen out lists 16 report types that should be screened out, absent specific allegations of child abuse, neglect or dependency. For each type of report, the circumstances under which it should not be screened out are noted as exceptions. The chart provides examples of exceptions and provides fuller clarification of the screen out criteria.

Which Cases:		The screening criteria should be considered and reviewed in all reports where problematic behavior or circumstances are being reported about a child or parent, but there is not an allegation of CA/N/D, or the allegation does not fit the legal definition of CA/N/D.
Who:			Every staff member who has the responsibility for Intake.
Decision:			Whether or not the call should be accepted for CA/N/D assessment.
When:			Screening criteria should be considered at the time the report is received.