Reports may be considered for a Family Assessment Response when there
are no immediate child safety concerns and/or the report is not
required by law to be investigated such as:
- Minor physical injury
- Injuries suggesting inattention to child’s safety
- Lack of supervision
- Minimal needs for food, clothing, shelter, hygiene are consistently met
- Untreated physical injuries, illnesses, or impairments
- Emotional neglect/abuse
- Substance exposed newborns
The goals of a Family Assessment Response are the same as for the CPS
program: the protection of children; preservation of families, when
possible; and prevention of maltreatment.
The Family Assessment Response shifts CPS intervention from an
incident focus to a service delivery focus that supports parents in
meeting their children’s safety and developmental needs. The CPS worker
collaborates with the family in identifying family strengths,
stressors, and other factors like to precipitate abuse or neglect.
Family assessment provides the basis for a child safety plan and for an
individualized family service plan.
The family assessment is completed within 45-60 days from the date
the report of suspected abuse or neglect was received. No finding of
abuse or neglect is made and no information is placed in the Virginia
Department of Social Services, Central Registry of Founded Child Abuse
and Neglect.