OKDHS - OAC 340:75-3-13. Completion of the Child Protectie Services assessment or investigation process

340:75-3-13. Completion of the Child Protective Services assessment or investigation process

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Revised 12-1-10

(a) Determination of services. Pursuant to Section 1-2-105 of Title 10A of the Oklahoma Statutes (10A O.S. § 1-2-105), Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), where appropriate and in its discretion, identifies prevention and intervention–related services available in the community and arranges for services to be provided to the family when an investigation or assessment indicates the family would benefit from services or OKDHS may provide services directly.

(1) Attempts to provide, refer, or arrange voluntary services are documented in the OKDHS record.
(2) OKDHS determines within 60 days whether the family has accessed services directly related to safety of the child.
(3) When the family refuses voluntary services or does not access services directly related to the safety of the child, and it is determined by OKDHS that the child’s surroundings endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the child, OKDHS may recommend the child be placed in protective or emergency custody, or that a petition be filed. • 1

(b) Notification of assessment conclusion or investigative finding to person responsible for the child (PRFC).

(1) Following completion of the assessment, the CW worker notifies each PRFC of the conclusion. • 2 & 4
(2) Following completion of the investigation, the Child Welfare (CW) worker notifies each PRFC of any findings pertaining to them. • 3 & 4

(c) Disclosure of information to reporter of child abuse or neglect. Per 10A O.S. § 1-6-102, OKDHS may summarize the outcome of an investigation to the person who reported a known or suspected instance of child abuse or neglect or to any person providing services to a child who is or is alleged to be a victim of child abuse.

(d) Disclosure of findings or conclusions and other information to persons or agencies providing professional services.

(1) Pursuant to 10A O.S. § 1-2-107, OKDHS may provide information to a person or agency that provides professional services such as medical examination of or therapeutic intervention with a victim of abuse or neglect. This information may include, but is not limited to:
- (A) the investigative determination; or
- (B) the services offered and provided.
(2) OKDHS forwards to any hospital or any physician, including, but not limited to, doctors of medicine and dentistry, licensed osteopathic physicians, residents and interns, reporting the abuse or neglect of a child per 10A O.S. § 1-2-101, information including the investigative determination, the services offered or provided, and such other information deemed necessary by OKDHS. The information is entered and maintained in the child's medical record. • 5

INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-3-13

Revised 12-1-10

1.   Determination of services. Refer to levels of service protocol in OAC 340:75-4-12.1 Instructions to Staff (ITS) to determine the appropriate level of service for each family completion of the assessment or investigation.

(1) When voluntary services are recommended, the Child Welfare (CW) worker documents in the Investigation Contacts screen in KIDS, OKDHS attempts to provide, refer, or arrange for the provision of voluntary services.

(2) Within 60 days of the approval of the KIDS assessment or Form 04KI003E, Report to DA, a contact entitled "Services Follow-up" is entered in the Investigation Contact screen in KIDS in the open or closed case, documenting after verifying verification with the service provider, whether the family has voluntarily accessed recommended services directly related to child safety when:

(A) allegations of abuse or neglect are substantiated; or

(B) an assessment of child safety determines the child to be unsafe.

(3) When the family refuses voluntary services or does not access services directly related to the safety of the child, and it is determined the child's surroundings endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the child, the CW worker consults the CW supervisor to determine if a recommendation is made to place the child in protective or emergency custody, or that a petition be filed.

2.   Notification of assessment conclusion. Following completion of the assessment, the CW worker notifies each person responsible for the child (PRFC) of the conclusion. The CW worker:

(1) mails each PRFC Form 04KI021E, Notification Regarding Assessment, or Form 04KI022E, Notification Regarding Assessment; and

(2) verbally notifies each PRFC of the conclusion.

3.   Notification of investigative finding. Following completion of the investigation, the Child Welfare (CW) worker notifies each PRFC of the finding pertaining to the PRFC. The CW worker:

(1) mails Form 04KI019E, Notification Concerning Finding(s) of Child Abuse/Neglect, to each PRFC. When the finding is substantiated - services recommended or substantiated - court intervention requested, OAC 340:75-1-12.2 applies;

(2) verbally notifies the PRFC of the findings;

(3) for in-home investigations, mails each PRFC Form 04KI019E. Refer to OAC 340:75-3-8.1 and 340:75-3-8.2 for out‑of‑home investigative findings and notification to PRFCs; and

(4) mails Form 04KI019E for child care center employees to the employee's home.

4.   When closure with PRFC is not required. Closure with the PRFC or family may be circumvented when there is reason to believe that it may place the child or CW worker in danger or when the PRFC cannot be located.

5.   Responding to other reporters of child abuse or neglect. OKDHS may summarize the outcome of an investigation to the person who reported a known or suspected instance of child abuse or neglect or to any person providing services to a child who is or is alleged to be a victim of child abuse. The reporter is also told:

(1) the assessment or investigation specifics cannot be disclosed;

(2) the assessment or investigation has been completed;

(3) a report of any assessment conclusions or investigative findings has been forwarded to the district attorney's office in accordance with Oklahoma Statutes; and

(4) a completed assessment or investigation does not preclude future assessments or investigations when new allegations of child abuse or neglect are reported.

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