Last Updated: November 2023
 
Prior Investigations
1. Prior neglect investigations

Identify whether there are prior investigations where neglect was alleged, substantiated, inconclusive, or unfounded. If there are prior investigations for neglect, identify the number of priors. Neglect includes severe and general neglect, exploitation (excluding sexual exploitation), and caregiver being absent/incapacitated, regardless of whether there were also abuse allegations in the investigation.

Do not include referrals that were not assigned for investigation.

Where possible, neglect history from other county or state jurisdictions should be included. Exclude investigations of out-of-home perpetrators (e.g., daycare) unless one or more caregivers failed to protect.

For differential response referrals, include Paths 2 and 3.

Consider all adults in the household and count prior investigations for which they were alleged to be perpetrators (assign the highest score that applies).
  1. Choose "a" if there were no investigations for any type of neglect prior to the current investigation.
  2. Choose "b" if there was one investigation, substantiated or not, for any type of neglect prior to the current investigation.
  3. Choose "c" if there were two investigations, substantiated or not, for any type of neglect prior to the current investigation.
  4. Choose "d" if there were three or more investigations, substantiated or not, for any type of neglect prior to the current investigation.
2. Prior abuse investigations

Identify whether there are prior investigations where abuse was alleged, substantiated, inconclusive, or unfounded. If there are prior investigations for abuse, identify the number of priors. Abuse includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, or sexual abuse/exploitation, regardless of whether there were any neglect allegations in the investigation.

Do not include referrals that were not assigned for investigation.

Where possible, history from other county or state jurisdictions should be included. Exclude investigations of out-of-home perpetrators (e.g., daycare) unless one or more caregivers failed to protect.

For differential response referrals, include Paths 2 and 3. Consider all adults in the household and count prior investigations for which they were alleged to be perpetrators (assign the highest score that applies).
  1. Choose "a" if there were no investigations for any type of abuse prior to the current investigation.
  2. Choose "b" if there was one investigation, substantiated or not, for any type of abuse prior to the current investigation.
  3. Choose "c" if there were two investigations, substantiated or not, for any type of abuse prior to the current investigation.
  4. Choose "d" if there were three or more investigations, substantiated or not, for any type of abuse prior to the current investigation.
3. Household has previous or current open ongoing CPS case (voluntary/court ordered)
Identify whether the household has previously had or currently has an open case as a result of a prior investigation. Service history includes voluntary or court-ordered family services or Family Preservation Services but does not include delinquency services. Select the highest-scoring applicable response.
  1. Choose "a" if the household has not had an open CPS case prior to this investigation.
  2. Choose "b" if the household has previously had an open CPS case and that case is not open at the time of this investigation.
  3. Choose "c" if the household has a currently open CPS case at the time of this investigation that began prior to this investigation.
4. Prior physical injury to a child resulting from child abuse/neglect or prior substantiated physical abuse of a child

Identify whether a child has sustained a physical injury resulting from abuse and/or neglect by a current or former adult member of the household. Also identify whether any adult living in the household (caregiver or not) previously injured a child in an incident of abuse or neglect.

Injury sustained as a result of abuse or neglect may range from bruises, cuts, and welts to an injury that requires medical treatment or hospitalization, such as a bone fracture or burn.

  1. Choose "a" if no child has sustained a physical injury resulting from abuse and/or neglect prior to this investigation OR no current adult household member has caused such an injury OR there is no prior substantiated physical abuse to a child involving a current household member as a perpetrator, regardless of whether the child is a prior or current household member.
  2. Choose "b" if a child sustained a physical injury resulting from abuse and/or neglect prior to this investigation that was not previously known

    the agency, based on credible information from the child, caregivers, or others.
OR Choose "b" if there was prior substantiated physical abuse of a child involving a current household member as a perpetrator, regardless of whether the child is a prior or current household member.
Current Investigations
5. Current report maltreatment type (mark all applicable)
Identify whether the current report is for neglect, physical/emotional abuse, or both. This includes referred allegations or allegations made during the course of the investigation.
  1. Choose "a" if the current report is for neglect.
  2. Choose "b" if the current report is for physical and/or emotional abuse.
  3. Choose "c" if the report does not include the above or is for sexual abuse/exploitation only.
6. Number of children involved in the child abuse/neglect incident
Identify the number of children less than 18 years of age for whom abuse or neglect was alleged or substantiated in the current investigation. If any child is removed as a result of the current investigation, count the child as residing in the home.
  1. Choose "a" if there are one, two, or three children in the household.
  2. Choose "b" if there are four or more children in the household.
7. Primary caregiver assessment of the incident

Identify whether the primary caregiver is supportive of the child in this incident or blames the child for the incident.

Blaming the child for the incident refers to the caregiver's statement that the maltreatment incident occurred because of the child's action or inaction (e.g., claiming that the child seduced them or the child deserved beating because they misbehaved).

  1. Choose "a" if the primary caregiver does not blame the child for the incident.
  2. Choose "b" if the primary caregiver does blame the child for the incident.
Family Characteristics
8. Age of youngest child in the home
Identify the current age of the youngest child presently in the household where the maltreatment incident reportedly occurred. If a child is removed as a result of the current investigation, count the child as residing in the home.
  1. Choose "a" if all children in the household are 2 years of age or older.
  2. Choose "b" if any child in the household is younger than 2 years old.
9. Characteristics of children in the household
Identify whether any child in the household has a developmental, learning, and/or physical disability; is diagnosed as medically fragile or failure to thrive; or has mental health and/or behavioral issues. Base identification on credible information from a caregiver that a child has been diagnosed, statements from a physician or mental health professional, or review of records.

Choose “a” if no child in the household exhibits the characteristics listed in “b.”

Choose “b” if any child in the household exhibits characteristics listed below and select all types present. Select all types that apply for any child in the household:

  • Mental health or behavioral problems. Any child in the household has mental health or behavioral problems not related to a physical or developmental disability. This could be indicated by a diagnosis made by a mental health professional in an area that impacts daily functioning, receiving mental health treatment, attendance in a special classroom because of behavioral problems, or if the child is currently taking prescribed psychoactive medications.
  • Developmental disability. A severe, chronic condition diagnosed by a physician or mental health professional due to mental and/or physical impairments. Examples include mental retardation, autism spectrum disorders, and cerebral palsy.
  • Learning disability. Child has an individualized education plan (IEP) to address a learning problem such as dyslexia. Do not include an IEP designed solely to address mental health or behavioral problems. Also include a child with a learning disability diagnosed by a physician or mental health professional who is eligible for an IEP but does not yet have one, or who is in preschool.
  • Physical disability. A severe, acute, or chronic condition diagnosed by a physician that impairs mobility, sensory, or motor functions. Examples include paralysis, amputation, and blindness.
  • Medically fragile or failure to thrive.
    • “Medically fragile” describes a child who has any condition diagnosed by a physician that can become unstable and change abruptly, resulting in a life-threatening situation; AND that requires daily, ongoing medical treatments and monitoring by appropriately trained personnel, which may include parents or other family members; AND that requires the routine use of a medical device or assistive technology to compensate for the loss of usefulness of a body function needed to participate in activities of daily living; AND the child lives with an ongoing threat to their continued well-being. Examples include a child who requires a trach-vent for breathing or a g-tube for eating.
    • ”Failure to thrive:” A diagnosis of failure to thrive by a physician.
10. Housing
Identify the family’s current housing status.
  • Choose “a” if the family has housing that is physically safe.
  • Choose “b” if either of the following applies (select all applicable).
    • The family has housing, but the current housing situation is physically unsafe to the extent that it does not meet the health or safety needs of the child (e.g., exposed wiring, inoperable heat or plumbing, roach/rat infestations, human/animal waste on floors, rotting food).
    • OR
    • The family is homeless or was about to be evicted at the time the investigation began or the family becomes homeless/receives an eviction notice by the time the risk assessment is completed. Consider as “homeless” people who are living in a shelter and those living on a short-term basis with relatives or friends.
11. Incidents of domestic violence in the household in the past year
Identify whether there has been domestic violence in the household in the past year. Identification may be based on a credible report from the caregiver(s), police reports, or other records.
  1. Choose "a" if, in the previous year, there has been one domestic violence incident or no domestic violence has occurred in the household.
  2. Choose "b" if in the previous year, there have been two or more physical assaults or multiple periods of intimidation/threats/harassment in the household between caregivers or between a caregiver and another adult.
12. Primary caregiver disciplinary practices
Identify the disciplinary practices of the primary caregiver of the child in the household.
  1. Choose "a" if the primary caregiver employs appropriate discipline.
  2. Choose "b" if the primary caregiver employs excessive/inappropriate discipline.

Include excessively harsh physical or emotional disciplinary practices that caused or threatened harm to the child and/or were inappropriate given the child's age or development. Do not choose "b" if the actions of the caregiver that have caused harm or injury bear no resemblance to discipline.

Examples of excessive/inappropriate discipline include but are not limited to locking the child in a closet or basement, holding the child's hand over fire, hitting the child with dangerous implements, or depriving a young child of physical and/or social activity for extended periods.

13. Primary or secondary caregiver history of abuse or neglect as a child
Identify whether either caregiver was maltreated as a child. Maltreatment includes neglect or physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
  1. Choose "a" if there are no credible statements by the primary or secondary caregiver or others, or state records of past allegations, that indicate either caregiver was maltreated as a child.
  2. Choose "b" if credible statements by the primary or secondary caregiver or others, or state records of past allegations, indicate that either caregiver was maltreated as a child.
14. Primary or secondary caregiver mental health
Identify the primary and secondary (if present) caregivers' mental health statuses.
  1. Choose "a" if the primary and secondary (if present) caregivers do not have past or current mental health problems.
  2. Choose "b" if credible and/or verifiable statements by the primary and/or secondary caregiver or others indicate that the primary and/or secondary caregiver:
    • Has been diagnosed as having a significant mental health disorder that impacts daily functioning, as determined by a mental health professional; OR
    • Has had repeated referrals for mental health/psychological evaluations; OR
    • Was recommended for treatment/hospitalization or treated/hospitalized for emotional problems.
If "b," indicate whether the identified mental health problem is current (present in the last 12 months) and/or was present prior to the last 12 months before this referral.
15. Primary or secondary caregiver alcohol and/or drug use
Identify the primary and secondary (if present) caregivers’ alcohol and/or drug use, both current and historical, and whether it interferes or has interfered with family functioning.
  • Choose “a” if the primary or secondary caregiver does not have and never has had a drug or alcohol problem that interferes with family functioning.
  • Choose “b” if the primary or secondary caregiver has past or current alcohol and/or drug use that interferes with their or the family’s functioning. Such interference is evidenced by:
    • Substance use that affects or affected employment, criminal involvement, or marital or family relationships; and/or that affects or affected caregiver’s ability to provide protection, supervision, and care for the child;
    • An arrest in the past two years for driving under the influence (DUI) or refusing breathalyzer testing;
    • Self-report of a problem;
    • Treatment received currently or in the past;
    • Multiple positive urine samples;
    • Health/medical problems resulting from substance use and/or abuse; or
    • The child’s diagnosis with fetal alcohol syndrome or exposure, or the child’s positive toxicology screen at birth and the primary caregiver was the birth parent.
  • If “b,” indicate whether the identified substance use problem is current (present in the last 12 months) and/or was present prior to the last 12 months before this referral.
16. Primary or secondary caregiver criminal arrest history
Indicate whether either the primary or secondary caregiver has a criminal arrest history prior to the current complaint as either an adult or a juvenile. This includes DUIs but excludes all other traffic offenses. Information may be located in the case narrative material, reports from other agencies, self-report, etc. Also review any police reports in the file for this information.
  1. Choose "a" if neither caregiver has criminal arrests prior to this complaint.
  2. Choose "b" if either caregiver has one or more criminal arrests prior to the current complaint.
Policy Override

Select yes if a condition listed below is applicable in this case. If any condition is applicable, override the final risk level to Very High.

  • Sexual abuse case AND the perpetrator is likely to have access to the child. One or more of the children in this household are or have been victims of sexual abuse AND the perpetrator is likely to have unmanaged access.
  • Non-accidental injury to a child under age 2. Any child under 2 years old in the household has any kind of physical injury resulting from the actions or inactions of a caregiver.
  • Severe non-accidental injury. Severe non-accidental injury includes, for example, brain damage, skull or bone fracture, subdural hemorrhage or hematoma, dislocations, sprains, internal injuries, poisoning, burns, scalds, severe cuts, or any other physical injury that requires medical treatment and seriously impairs the health or well-being of the child.
  • Caregiver action or inaction resulted in the death of a child due to abuse or neglect (previous or current). Any child in the household has died as a result of actions or inactions by the caregiver. This child fatality may have occurred prior to the current case. Select this override if this condition has ever existed within the household.

Discretionary Override

A discretionary override is used by the ongoing worker whenever the worker believes that the risk score does not accurately portray the household’s actual risk level. The worker may only increase the risk level. If the worker applies a discretionary override, the reason should be specified and the final risk level should be selected.

Overrides
Policy Overrides
Select yes if a condition listed below is applicable in this case. If any condition is applicable, override the final risk level to very high.
  1. Sexual abuse case AND the perpetrator is likely to have access to the child. One or more of the children in this household are or have been victims of sexual abuse AND the perpetrator is likely to have unmanaged access.
  2. Non-accidental injury to a child under age 2. Any child under 2 years old in the household has any kind of physical injury resulting from the actions or inactions of a caregiver.
  3. Severe non-accidental injury. Severe non-accidental injury includes, for example, brain damage, skull or bone fracture, subdural hemorrhage or hematoma, dislocations, sprains, internal injuries, poisoning, burns, scalds, severe cuts, or any other physical injury that requires medical treatment and seriously impairs the health or well-being of the child.
  4. Caregiver action or inaction resulted in the death of a child due to abuse or neglect (previous or current). Any child in the household has died as a result of actions or inactions by the caregiver. This child fatality may have occurred prior to the current case. Select this override if this condition has ever existed within the household.
Discretionary Override
A discretionary override is used by the ongoing worker whenever the worker believes that the risk score does not accurately portray the household's actual risk level. The worker may only increase the risk level. If the worker applies a discretionary override, the reason should be specified and the final risk level should be marked.
Supplemental Risk Items
1. Either caregiver demonstrates difficulty accepting one or more children's gender identity or sexual orientation.
Identify whether either caregiver in the household indicates a lack of acceptance of a child's gender identity or sexual orientation. A lack of acceptance may be indicated by verbal statements (calling names, derogatory statements, etc.); actions (physical aggression, kicking the child out, etc.); or a lack of caregiver support, such as a failure to acknowledge the child's gender identity or sexual orientation.
  1. Choose "No" if neither caregiver demonstrates difficulty.
  2. Choose "Yes" if either caregiver demonstrates difficulty.
2. Alleged perpetrator is an unmarried partner of the primary caregiver.
Identify whether an alleged perpetrator in this incident is an unmarried partner of the primary caregiver in the household. The primary caregiver may or may not also be an alleged perpetrator.
  1. Choose "No" if an alleged perpetrator is not an unmarried partner.
  2. Choose "Yes" if an alleged perpetrator is an unmarried partner.
3. Another non-related adult in the household provides unsupervised child care to a child under the age of 3.
Identify whether another unrelated adult in the household (stepparent, significant other, or roommate) provides unsupervised child care to any child in the household who is younger than 3.
  • Choose “No” if a stepparent, significant other, or roommate in the household does not provide unsupervised care for a child younger than 3.
  • Choose “Yes” if a stepparent, significant other, or roommate in the household does provide unsupervised care for a child younger than 3.
  • Choose “N/A” (not applicable) if there is only a primary caregiver in the household.

3a. Is the other non-related adult in the household employed?

Identify whether the other adult in the household (stepparent, significant other, or roommate) is employed or not.

  • Choose “No” if the other adult in the household (stepparent, significant other, or roommate) providing unsupervised care to a child in the household younger than 3 is not employed.
  • Choose “Yes” if the other adult in the household (stepparent, significant other, or roommate) providing unsupervised care to a child in the household younger than 3 is employed.
  • Choose “N/A” if there is only a primary caregiver in the household.
3a.  Is the other non-related adult in the household employed?

Identify whether the other adult in the household (stepparent, significant other, or roommate) is employed or not.

  • Choose “No” if the other adult in the household (stepparent, significant other, or roommate) providing unsupervised care to a child in the household younger than 3 is not employed.
  • Choose “Yes” if the other adult in the household (stepparent, significant other, or roommate) providing unsupervised care to a child in the household younger than 3 is employed.
  • Choose “N/A” if there is only a primary caregiver in the household.
4. Either caregiver is isolated in the community.
Identify whether either caregiver in the household is isolated in the community, as evidenced by lack of communication with others, a lack of meaningful relationships, or a lack of access to community resources.
  1. Choose "No" if both caregivers have relationships in the community for support.
  2. Choose "Yes" if either caregiver is isolated in the community.
5. Caregiver has provided safe and stable housing for at least the past 12 months.
Identify whether the caregiver has provided safe and stable housing for the last 12 months as evidenced by housing that is physically safe for the child.
  1. Choose "No" if the family has had frequent moves or if there are environmental conditions that pose a threat to the child.
  2. Choose "Yes" if the family has had safe and stable housing.
Neglect Risk Level
Neglect ScoreLevel
0-2Low
3-5Moderate
6-8High
9+Very High
Abuse Risk Level
Abuse ScoreLevel
0-1Low
2-4Moderate
5-7High
8+Very High
Scored Risk Level
Whichever level is higher between the Neglect Risk Level and the Abuse Risk Level becomes the Scored Risk Level.
Recommended Decision
Final Risk LevelRecommendation
LowDo not promote*
ModerateDo not promote*
HighPromote
Very HighPromote
*Unless there are unresolved safety threats.