Chapter VIII:Protective Services 1409- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
XIII. DOCUMENTATION
The existing policy requirements concerning documentation of CPS services shall remain in effect. This includes:
- A description of the ongoing assessment of risk, safety, and health of the child;
- A description of actions taken and services provided;
- Support the rationale for the agency involvement and service delivery on an ongoing basis; and
- Be prompt and current within seven days.
- The case record documents and supports CPS assessment activities, service provision, the progress of the family in achieving goals and the professional opinion of the social worker.
- The case record documentation helps to focus the activity in a case, helping direct the social worker's actions.
- The case record documents decisions affecting children and their families. It verifies the efforts agencies have made to maintain the child in his home, reunite the child with his family, or provide timely permanence for the child when he cannot be returned home. The case documentation serves as the basis upon which decisions are made regarding filing petitions, making out-of-home placements, and terminating parental rights.
- The case record documentation provides information on the case activity so that continuity of services is maintained.
- The case record verifies activities for which county departments claim reimbursement of cost from public funds.
The importance of proper documentation in the case record cannot be overstated. Case records and forms should properly identify the effects of domestic violence related abuse, neglect and dependency on children, describe the specific behaviors of each parent that pose risk to the children, and account for the protective factors used to increase the children’s safety. It is crucial that case documentation accurately identify the perpetrator of domestic violence, explain the context of the violence, and the steps taken by the non-offending parent/adult victim to protect the children.
