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If a county DSS receives a Child Protective Services (CPS) report from law enforcement of children living in or present where the methamphetamine laboratory was located or were otherwise endangered by exposure to the drug, its ingredients, its by-products or waste, the basic identifying information and household composition shall be documented.
County Department of Social Services staff shall follow instructions outlined in: Family Services Manual Volume 1; Section 1407 – Structured Intake for screening criteria when there are additional allegations. A two level review is required for all CPS reports.
If the referral comes from law enforcement, it should be considered a confirmed methamphetamine laboratory. It would be exceptionally rare that a referral with these allegations would not be accepted for CPS Assessment. A decision not to assess children exposed to a confirmed methamphetamine laboratory would require significant justification and adequate documentation of that decision.
The intake worker shall also gather other specific information from law enforcement relating to methamphetamine laboratories to include, but not limited to:
County DSS agencies should be aware that their local law enforcement may be in contact with other appropriate law enforcement agencies including the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Certified officer and/or the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI).
If the report only alleges exposure to a methamphetamine laboratory and there are no other allegations, the report should be screened in as Injurious Environment.
All reports of children being exposed to suspected or confirmed methamphetamine laboratories will be accepted as an Investigative Assessment.
Referrals alleging only parent or caregiver methamphetamine use may be accepted as a Family Assessment.
If someone other than law enforcement reports to a county DSS, children living in or present where the methamphetamine laboratory was located or were otherwise endangered by exposure to the drug, its ingredients, and its by-products or waste, the basic identifying information and household composition shall be documented. Again, county DSS agencies shall follow instructions outlined in Family Services Manual Volume 1; Section 1407 – Structured Intake for screening criteria. A two-level review is required for all CPS referrals. The intake worker shall also gather other specific information relating to methamphetamine laboratories to include but not limited to:
Whether the report from non-law enforcement individuals is accepted or screened out, the DSS agency shall make an immediate oral and subsequent written report of that information. These reports are to be made to the district attorney or the district attorney's designee and to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. The subsequent written reports to district attorney’s office and the local law enforcement agency must be sent within 48 hours after receipt of the information as outlined in Family Services Manual Volume 1; Chapter VIII; Section 1408 – Investigative and Family Assessments .
When deciding whether the report is accepted for abuse, neglect, or dependency there are several things to consider.
All reports of children being exposed to suspected or confirmed methamphetamine laboratories will be accepted as an Investigative Assessment.
Referrals alleging only parent or caregiver methamphetamine use may be accepted as a Family Assessment.
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For questions or clarification on any of the policy contained in these manuals, please contact your local county office. |
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