Investigative

Brief Description

The Investigative Assessment is the primary tool for assessing and documenting risk to children in families where abuse/neglect allegations have been investigated. The Investigative Assessment includes Findings for CA/N allegations, Overall Level of Risk and Disposition.

Investigative Assessment must be completed at the completion of the investigation, but no later than 90 days after the date of the referral.

To return to the top, click your cursor anywhere on this page and press the Home key on your keyboard.

1. Before you start an Investigative Assessment, the Referral related to a Case ID, must have all of the following selected;

• CPS Program
• Decision: Accepted
• Risk tag of 3, 4 or 5
• Both Subject and Victim need to be selected
• CA/N code selected

2. To create a New Investigative Assessment, click Browse, select Worker, select Worker ID. The default Worker ID is linked to the worker's login ID. Type the Worker ID if different from the default.

3. Click OK.

4. Click Worker Cases.

5. Right click on Case ID, select Send (e.g. 92L0107820) to a new, select Investigative Assessment.

1. You can save an Investigative Assessment before it is completed. However, the Selection Wizard is required to Save the Investigative Assessment.

2. These are the minimum requirements to Save:

• Case ID
• Referral ID
• Child
• Assessment Input Date

3. Check the box next to the Referral ID you want to assess.



4. You must select Referrals that are within 90 days of each other. If you select Referrals that are more than 90 days of each other, expect to see the message below. Click OK and select, referral(s) within 90 days of each other.

5. Once you have selected your Referrals, click Next. You can choose to quit this Wizard, click Cancel. If you cancel, all selections will be cancelled.

1. Check Placed if any children who have been placed as a result of this investigation. This child's name will then appear in the Risk Matrix. For the children that remain in the home, only the child at most risk needs to be selected.

2. Check Risk next to the Referral ID to indicate the Child Most At Risk.

3. You can return to the Referral Screen by clicking on Prev (Previous screen). You can choose to quit this Wizard, click Cancel.

4. To continue, click Finish.

1. This tab will list the Persons and Referrals selected from the Selection Wizard.

2. Click Assessment Input Date.

a. This date is the date on which the Investigative Assessment was input. Future dates are not allowed for this field.

b. Click the down arrow and you will see this calendar. Click on arrows left/right to scroll through months, click the specific date or click Today to use today's date or Clear to select another date.

1. For the Current Assessment, select the Baseline Level of Risk. Click the down arrow to reveal the list of selections.

a. See Investigative Companion Guide.

Baseline Risk Levels:

0 - No Risk
1 - Low Risk
2 - Moderately Low Risk
3 - Moderate Risk
4 - Moderately High Risk
5 - High Risk

2. In the first text box, type the text for the History of CA/N (Prior to the current allegations, include victimization of any child and describe injuries or accidents related to CA/N, dangerous acts/neglectful conditions, extent of sexual abuse and developmental/emotional harm.)

3. In the second text box, type the Description of most recent CA/N (Include comments on severity, frequency and effects on child.)

1. Child Characteristic 1 (Vulnerability/Self protective skills) See Investigative Companion Guide. The level of susceptibility to CA/N related injury, and/or emotional harm demonstrated by the child based on age, developmental delays, social maturity and past victimization. The child's ability to take action on their own is an important form of self protection.

2. Child Characteristic 2 (Special needs/Behavior problems) See Investigative Companion Guide. The specialized care required by a child to maintain life, health, safety and well being, including child's behavior which cause challenges for caregivers, schools, and helping professionals.

3. Select an appropriate Risk Level for each Child Characteristic.

0 - Now Risk
1 - Low Risk
2 - Moderately Low Risk
3 - Moderate Risk
4 - Moderately High Risk
5 - High Risk
9 - Insufficient Information

4. Explanation is required for any Risk Level 9 (Insufficient Information).

1. Caregiver Characteristics - Select a Risk Level for the following Characteristics:

a. Characteristic 1 - Substance abuse: The use of drugs/alcohol which interferes with a person's ability to perform essential life functions (e.g. parenting, work, interpersonal relationships, self-care), usually accompanied by a physical/psychological dependence on drugs/alcohol. See Investigative Companion Guide.

b. Characteristic 2 - Mental, emotional, intellectual or physical impairments: A chronic condition which interferes with a person's ability to perform essential life functions (e.g. parenting, work, interpersonal relationships, self-care). The condition may be of an organic or non-organic nature. See Investigative Companion Guide.

c. Characteristic 3 - Parenting skills/expectations of child: A demonstrated ability to provide for a child's basic needs and to guide, educate, and discipline in a way that facilitates their child's positive social and emotional development. See Investigative Companion Guide.

d. Characteristic 4 - Empathy/nurturance/bonding: A parent's understanding and responsiveness to a child's feelings, situation and motives; consistent provision of loving care, attention and acceptance; a parent's strong emotional connection to a child including a commitment to a child's well being. See Investigative Companion Guide.

e. Characteristic 5 - History of violence or sexual assault of caregivers: Parent has caused physical or sexual injury to another person not limited to family members or children. Information is supplied by a credible source, e.g. case history, law enforcement or criminal history, family or others who have direct knowledge of the caregiver's violent behavior. See Investigative Companion Guide.

f. Characteristic 6 - Protection of child by non-abusive Caregiver: Parent acknowledges threat that abusive caregiver/perpetrator poses to child, possesses the capabilities and resources necessary to protect the child and demonstrates behavior that keeps the child safe from harm. See Investigative Companion Guide.

g. Characteristic 7 - Recognition of problem/motivation to change: A parent's acknowledgement, or awareness of CA/N and the needs and problems of family members, combined with a readiness to engage in change efforts which may be difficult, painful, or costly. See Investigative Companion Guide.

h. Characteristic 8 - History of CA/N as a child: A parent's experience of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, emotional abuse/neglect by caregivers, siblings or extended family members in a manner that had the potential to result in significant physical, developmental or emotional harm. See Investigative Companion Guide.

i. Characteristic 9 - Level of Cooperation: A parent's or family's willingness to work or act together with CA staff and service providers toward common goals, e.g.) case closure, child safety, permanency, reunification. See Investigative Companion Guide.

2. For each Person ID and Characteristic, click the down arrow to select the Risk level.

0 - Now Risk
1 - Low Risk
2 - Moderately Low Risk
3 - Moderate Risk
4 - Moderately High Risk
5 - High Risk
9 - Insufficient Information

3. Explanation is optional for Risk Levels 0-5. An Explanation is required for Risk Levels 9.

4. At any time you can click Save to save your information on the Investigative Assessment. See required items to complete before you can save.

1. Click the Substance Abuse Wizard. For each caregiver, choose whether; a determination has been made where it is probable that the use of alcohol or controlled substance is a contributing factor to the alleged abuse or neglect.

2. Substance Abuse Wizard - Determination

a. For each subject/caregiver, "Has a determination been made as to whether there is an indication that substance aubsse is contributing factor to the alleged abuse or neglect?

i). Click Determination Made down arrow. Has a determination been made? Select Yes or No.

ii). An Explanation is required if No - Determination Made is selected.

c. Click Next.

d. If there are no subjects or caregivers for whom a determination has been made, click Next, then you can click Finish.

3. Substance Abuse Wizard - Contributing Factor

a. For each subject/caregiver, "is it probable that the use of alcohol or a controlled substance is a contributing factor to the alleged abuse or neglect?"

i). Click on the drop down arrow to select either Yes or No.

b. Click Next.

4. Substance Abuse Wizard - Referral

a. Click on RCW number below to view policy/law that addresses substance abuse RCW 26.44.170.

b. For each Subject and/or Caregiver, choose whether a referral has been made to a certified chemical dependency specialist or physician for a chemical dependency evaluation.

c. Click Referral Made down arrow.

d. For all Subjects and/or Caregivers for whom a determination has been made, select whether a Referral was made to a certified Chemical Dependency Specialist or Physician.

i.) Select Yes, if a referral has been made
ii.) Select No, if a referral has not been made.

e. Click Next.

5. Substance Abuse Wizard - Referral Made

a. This is the basis for referral. If you selected Yes on the previous window, you will see the Person ID, name and 4 check boxes. These are indicators of substance abuse which document the basis for referral to a chemical dependency evaluation.

b. Check one of the four choices below. You may enter text in the field to describe how the social worker came to believe substance abuse is an issue to be evaluated. If there was more than one person referred, you must select a basis for referral for each person. Scroll down to see the next person.

i). Information is obtained from a credible source that the subject of the referral is abuse alcohol or other drugs or is involved in illegal activity involving. (Type description of this activity).

ii). Allegations of substance abuse were made by a credible source in more than one prior referral or substance abuse was identified as an issue in one or more prior CPS investigations. (Type description of allegations).

iii). Substance abuse by the subject was disclosed by the subject or the child during the interview process. (Type description of disclosed substance abuse).

iv). Observations of the subject and the subject's environment indicate a likelihood of substance abuse. (Type description of observations).

c. If you selected No on the previous screen, the check boxes will be ghosted. Click Next.

d. Click Finish.

6. Substance Abuse Wizard - No Referral made

a. If you selected No for Referral Made on the Substance Abuse Wizard Referral screen, you will the Person ID and name on this screen. Select a reason why no referral was made with a check in the box next to the reason(s).

Just above the checkboxes, there will be a heading that will list the Person ID, Person Last Name, First Name.

b. Place a check next to the appropriate checkbox.

• There is no indication that child abuse or neglect has occurred.
• There is no indication that substance abuse is a contributing factor in the alleged child abuse or neglect or to serious risk of child abuse or neglect.
• Other. Please describe. Type an explanation why no referral was made.

c. Click Finish.

1. Characteristics (To see more information on the descriptions of the Risk Factors per Characteristic, click on the Characteristic below.)

• Stress on Family
• Social Support for Family
• Economic Resources of Family
• Domestic Violence

2. Risk Levels

0 - Now Risk
1 - Low Risk
2 - Moderately Low Risk
3 - Moderate Risk
4 - Moderately High Risk
5 - High Risk
9 - Insufficient Information

3. Explanation is option for Risk Levels 0-5. An Explanation is required for Risk Level 9. If you do not enter an explanation, expect to see this Warning displayed, click Ok to continue.

1. Text is required in Protective Factors/Family Strengths screen in order to check Assessment Complete. Type a description of Protective Factors and Family Strengths in the text box.

Protective factors reduce the likelihood of serious harm related to CA/N in several different ways:

(A) By reducing the risk of physical or emotional harm related to CA/N; for example, the normal physical growth of children is a protective factor for CA/N related physical harm.
(B) By increasing or intensifying intra-psychic or social prohibitions against CA/N. A parent's beliefs and values regarding the rights and needs of children may be a powerful protective factor.
(C) By creating positive emotional states in caregivers, e.g. through emotional support and expressions of caring from friends and family members
(D) By creating practical alternatives to child care arrangements which are risky for children; for example, a depressed parent may be incapable of highly responsive care of an infant or toddler. CA assistance, and/or the economic resources of parents, may allow a family to afford part time or full time day care for a child or sibling group.
(E) By reducing stress on parents and other caregivers resulting from economic deprivation, childcare burdens and untreated medical/dental conditions.
(F) By increasing parents' understanding of children's needs. Parents' strengths are often protective factors, but this is not always the case. A parents intelligence and social skills can be utilized in the service of child maltreatment, e.g. sex abuse, rather than to prevent CA/N from occurring.

2. You will see this message, if you click Cancel after you have typed text. This will ask you to confirm discarding all of your changes to that Investigative Assessment number and Case ID.

3. Click Yes to close the Investigative Assessment or No to return and continue.

1. Text is required in the Current Assessment Text field, in order to check Assessment Complete. Type a description of the Current Assessment and select an appropriate Risk Level.

0 - Now Risk
1 - Low Risk
2 - Moderately Low Risk
3 - Moderate Risk
4 - Moderately High Risk
5 - High Risk

1. Name - Person Name

2. Role - Subject, Victim or Caregiver

3. Person ID, Referral ID and CA/N - These are generated from the Selection Wizard.

4. Founded -

a. If the Role is marked Subject and Founded is selected, select [a-h] for Basis for Findings. The Basis for Findings criteria is only available, once Subject and Founded are selected. See text above for the WAC 388-15-130 Definitions.

b. Based on the CPS investigation, available information indicates that, more likely than not, child abuse or neglect as defined in WAC 388-15-130 did occur.

5. Unfounded -

• Based on the CPS investigation, available information indicates that, more likely than not, child abuse or neglect as defined in WAC 388-15-130 did not occur. RCW 26.44.020.

6. Inconclusive -

• Following the CPS investigation, based upon available information, the social worker cannot make a determination that, more likely than not, child abuse or neglect has or has not occurred.

7. Basis For Findings

a. The text in Basis for Findings will print on the Subject Notification Letter. Select Basis for Findings to type text which justifies when the finding is founded. This button is ghosted unless the Subject and Founded is selected. Text is required in order to select Assessment Complete when Founded.

b. Click Save to continue or Cancel.

1. Recommended Disposition

a. Click End Service if any of the following Disposition Details apply:

i. If Juvenile Court involved
ii. Reassigned
iii. Transition and Safety Plan created
iv. Voluntary service plan

b. Click Continued Services if any of the following Disposition Details apply:

i. Unable to complete investigation; other (Explanation Required)
ii. Little to not risk, services not needed
iii. Services offered and refused or not completed; no basis for court action
iv. Services completed, risk reduced
v. Serviced completed, risk unchanged; no basis for court action
vi. Referred to ARS or community resource
vii. Services completed; court action dismissed
viii. Transfer to Tribal Authority
ix. Referred to Community Services

c. If Unable to Complete Investigative Explanation, type text to explain. You have a limited space for text, watch the colored text meter in the bottom left corner. It starts to turn yellow and then to red when it reaches the maximum number of lines. It will stop displaying the any additional text you type once it has reached the maximum number of lines.

1. If Assessment Complete has been checked, you must Save in order for GUI to check for completed requirements and read Assessment Complete.

2. When you are finished with all Investigative Assessment tabs, check Assessment Complete. The system will present edits for each item that is not yet completed according to Assessment requirements.

3. On midnight of the 30th day after the first time an Investigative Assessment has been marked Assessment Complete, that assessment will be permanently locked.

4. The action log of each Investigative Assessment will record the date of first completion.

5. The status bar (see bottom on graphic above) of the completed Investigative Assessment will record how many days are left until the permanent 30-day lock is in effect: "Assessment will lock in '30' days".

6. The owner of the Investigative Assessment will still be able to deselect the Assessment Complete button during those 30 days, but this does not reset the 30 day clock. Without exception, 30 days after the first time Asesssment Complete is selected, the assessment is locked.

1. Click Browse , select Case, Person, Referral or Worker. In this example below, Case was selected.

2. Type the Case ID, click Ok.

3. Case, Person, Referral and Worker will display the All Assessments List. Click All Assessments List.

4. Notice in the Type column under Assessments Related to Case, it lists all the types of Assessments. Click on the GUI ID number to Browse that Assessment information.

5. Click on one of the Options to the left to view that information. You can also right click on the Assesment ID and select Relate, Open, Browse that Assessment ID. You can go directly to the Assessment and update information.

1. The best way to update an Investigative Assessment is to Browse, then right click to Open that Assessment ID. However, you can go directly to Open and select Assessment and type the Assessment ID.

2. To update an existing Investigative Assessment that has been marked Assessment Complete, follow instructions below.

a. Click Open, select Assessment.
b. Type the Assessment ID.
c. Uncheck Assessment Complete.
d. Click Save.
e. Make appropriate changes to the Investigative Assessment information.
f. Click Assessment Complete.
g. Click Save.

 

1. Select the General Tab. Click on the Person Name. You must first select the Person Name of a subject to print the notification letter.

Note: You can also right click on the Person Name, select Print, select Single Founded or Unfounded Notification Letter.

2. Select the Print icon on the Title bar. Select one of four options from the drop down list.

a. Screen Print. Select Screen Print if you want one print out of your screen exactly as you see it. It will not show the items on your task bar (Inbox, Word, CAMIS, Excel).

b. The graphic below is an example of a blank Investigative Assessment.

c. The graphic below is an example of a Single Founded Subject Notification Letter

d. The graphic below is an example of Single Unfounded/Inconclusive Subject Notification Letter.