INTAKE/INVESTIGATION
When a report is received, it is reviewed by our Intake department. If the report does not require a full investigation but the Intake department is told about other family problems, referrals will be made to appropriate community agencies.

If an investigation is necessary, an Investigation caseworker is assigned. All investigation begins within 24 hours. In the case of emergencies, someone is working on the case within one hour.

The caseworker interviews all of the children and adults in the home, and uses a risk assessment process to assist them in determining whether the children are safe in their current environment.

If the caseworker finds no basis for the allegations and there is little or no risk in the home, the investigation is closed.

Sometimes a child is in danger. At this point, the caseworker and supervisor determine if the family will accept our help to protect the child. Intake staff offers services to the family to help them change the behavior causing risk to the child.

In some cases, because of the severity of the abuse or neglect, immediate action through Juvenile Court must be taken to order the family to cooperate with the agency or to remove the child from the home.

If there are concerns that a crime has been committed, our community's law enforcement agencies become involved in the investigation.

THE AGENCY'S FIRST AND FOREMOST CONCERN IS THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF THE CHILD, AND ALL EFFORTS ARE MADE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS IN HIS OR HER OWN HOME.