After You Make a Report

You might be wondering what the CPS agency will do with your information.

The CPS agency makes several critical decisions based on the information received from the reporter and, when applicable, from any previous reports or existing case record information.

Learn more about the critical decisions below and then continue.

THE SCREENING DECISION
Does the information gathered meet the statutory definition of abuse, neglect, or threatened abuse/neglect?

The reporter is not expected to be an expert in the definitions of abuse and neglect, so the screening decision is made by the agency. If the report meets the statutory definition, it is screened in, and CPS conducts an initial assessment. If the report does not meet the statutory definition, it is screened out.

TIP: Even if your report is screened out, your concerns are maintained in the child welfare information system. If a subsequent report is received, any previous reports are always reviewed. Sometimes the threshold for screening in a case is met when information from the various reports is combined.

THE RESPONSE TIME DECISION
This decision is made on all reports that are screened in: How quickly does someone need to make a face-to-face contact with the child or other family member to begin the assessment, evaluate the level of possible danger to the child and to take action, if necessary, to assure the child’s safety?

HOW TO PROCEED
For example, whether to coordinate the CPS assessment with a law enforcement investigation, whether to do a joint assessment with another agency, such as tribal social services or with someone who regulates child care centers, how best to approach the family, etc.

Can I find out what happened to my report?

Yes and No. CPS records are confidential, but in the case of mandated reporters under s.48.981, CPS must automatically give feedback within 60 days of receiving the report. The law states that CPS will inform the reporter “what action, if any, was taken to protect the health and welfare of the child.” This includes advising the reporter if the report was screened out.

UW system staff who are governed solely by EO #54 (staff who are not also mandated to report under s.48.981) are not authorized to receive feedback.

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