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Child Protection inLarimer CountyIN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY,KEEPING FAMILIES SAFE AND TOGETHER.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
IF YOU SUSPECT CHILD ABUSE AND/OR NEGLECT CALL LCDHS: 970-498-6990
Making a ReferralThe First Call❖ Intake Specialist interview the caller (“Reporting Party”) ❖ Average call takes 20-25 minutes ❖ Presenting Problem ❖ General Questions Asked on all Referrals ❖ Family Coping and Community Support Questions ❖ Intervention Questions ❖ Solution Questions General Questions Asked on All Referrals✓ What is the nature of the abuse or neglectful environment? ✓ Where is the child now? ✓ Where is the alleged perpetrator now? ✓ When were the children last seen and by whom? ✓ How long has this been occurring? Have things stayed about the same, become worse or improved?✓ What school does the child attend and how long are they there? ✓ Is the child reporting how often this occurs? ✓ Are there any weapons in the home or drug use by family members?✓ Who else lives in the home?
Questions Specific to Referral Type • If neglect… – What specifically did the reporter see? – Description of environment, and who saw it? • If emotional abuse… – What is being said or what did they witness? – When, where and how often does this occur? • If domestic violence… – Where were the children? – Were the police called? – Were any charges filed or either parent incarcerated? • If lack of supervision… – How often and what time of day does it occur? – Do they know where the parent goes at these times? • If physical abuse… – Did the reporter see an injury? What does it look like? – When/where did it occur and by whom? • If drug allegations… – How do you know the parent is using drugs? • If drug exposed child… – Is mother still at the hospital? Who else is at the hospital? – Has mecstat been ordered? Types and levels of drugs present? • If sexual abuse… – What, when, and how often? Did anyone else witness the incident?
Mandated Referral FAQs Q: How do I report my concerns? A: If it is an emergency, call 911. They can ensure the immediate safety of a child and get medical attention if needed. If it is not an emergency, call 970-498-6990, 24/7/365 or call 844-CO-4-Kids to report abuse /neglect of a child who resides outside of Larimer County. Q: Am I liable if my concerns are not confirmed? A: If a person makes a report in good faith then that person is immune from civil or criminal liability. Source: Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 19, children’s code, Sections 19-3-304 and 19-3-309 Q: What can happen if I don’t report my concerns? A: There are legal consequences for not reporting. You could be charged with a class 3 misdemeanor, receive a fine of $750 and/or imprisonment up to six months, and be liable for what the law terms “damages approximately caused” if you fail to report a suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Q: Can I remain anonymous? A: Yes. Child protective services and its employees are required by law not to disclose the name of the mandatory reporter to the family. However, this confidentiality does not apply to reports made to law enforcement. Q: When and how will I be notified of our disposition related to the referral? A: Not all mandated reporting parties will be notified. Only those who have an ongoing relationship with the child. If you have an ongoing relationship with the child, you will be notified within 30 calendar days of receiving the referral. A mandated reporting party notification letter will be sent to you. Q: If I made a report to Child Protection Services and I still have concerns for the child and don't understand the agency decision about the referral I made, who can I talk to? A: Once you receive a letter of notification regarding the agency decision and you have questions or concerns, you can contact our office and ask to speak with the supervisor reflected in the notification letter. Q: If I made a report to Child Protection Services and the referral was assigned for assessment, and I have new information, questions regarding an immediate concern and can't reach the assigned caseworker, what should I do? A: You can contact our office and ask to speak with the supervisor of the assigned caseworker. If that supervisor is not available, you can request to speak with a duty supervisor. Our department has a supervisor accessible to answer questions of the public regarding assigned assessments 24 hours per day.
Recognizing Abuse andNeglect: Signs and Symptoms
The ChildShows sudden changes in behavior or school performance • Hasnot received help for physical or medical problems brought to theparents’ attention • Has learning problems (or difficultyconcentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical orpsychological causes • Is always watchful, as though preparing forsomething bad to happen • Lacks adult supervision • Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn • Comes to school or otheractivities early, stays late, and does not want to go home • Isreluctant to be around a particular person • DisclosesmaltreatmentThe ParentDenies the existence of—or blames the child for—the child’s problems in school or at home • Asks teachers or other caregiversto use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves • Sees thechild as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome • Demands a levelof physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve • Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction ofthe parent’s emotional needs • Shows little concern for the child The Parent and ChildRarely touch or look at each other • Consider their relationshipentirely negative • State that they do not like each other
Signs of Physical Abuse Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child: • Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes • Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school • Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home • Shrinks at the approach of adults • Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver • Abuses animals or pets Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver: • Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child’s injury, or provides an explanation that is not consistent with the injury • Describes the child as “evil” or in some other very negative way • Uses harsh physical discipline with the child • Has a history of abuse as a child • Has a history of abusing animals or pets Signs of Neglect Consider the possibility of neglect when the child: • Is frequently absent from school • Begs or steals food or money • Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses • Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor • Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather • Abuses alcohol or other drugs • States that there is no one at home to provide care Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver: • Appears to be indifferent to the child • Seems apathetic or depressed • Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner • Is abusing alcohol or other drugs Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway, What is Child Abuse and Neglect? Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms,https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/whatiscan.cfm
Signs of Sexual Abuse Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child: • Has difficulty walking or sitting • Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities • Reports nightmares or bedwetting • Experiences a sudden change in appetite • Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior • Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14 • Runs away • Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver • Attaches very quickly to strangers or new adults in their environment Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver: • Is unduly protective of the child or severely limits the child’s contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex • Is secretive and isolated • Is jealous or controlling with family members ________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________ Source: Child Welfare Information Gateway, What is Child Abuse and Neglect? Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms,https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/whatiscan.cfm
Signs of Emotional Maltreatment Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the child: • Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression • Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example) • Is delayed in physical or emotional development • Has attempted suicide • Reports a lack of attachment to the parent • Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the parent or other adult caregiver: • Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child • Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child’s problems • Overtly rejects the child “Larimer County Children, Youth, Family Services is committed to building solutions in child protective services; integrating a family-based practice and providing tools that promote family engagement and problem solving to help keep kids safe.”
Child Abuse Definitions Physical abuse (C.R.S. 19-1-103) states “Any case in which a child exhibits evidence of skin bruising, bleeding, malnutrition, failure to thrive, burns, fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling, or death and either: Such condition or death is not justifiably explained; the history given concerning such condition is at variance with the degree or type of such condition or death; or the circumstances indicate that such condition may not be the product of an accidental occurrence;” When someone hurts a child badly enough to cause an injury, break a bone, leave a bruise, a cut, or some other mark. For example, shaking a baby or using an object to spank a child that leaves a mark. Emotional abuse (C.R.S. 19-1-103) states “Any case in which a child is subjected to emotional abuse.” Emotional abuse means an identifiable and substantial impairment of the child’s intellectual or psychological functioning or development, or a substantial risk of impairment of the child’s intellectual or psychological functioning or development. Emotional abuse is an adult’s words or actions that lead a child to be harmful to themselves or others. Emotional abuse can be terrorizing, isolating, exploiting, and rejecting. Sexual abuse (C.R.S. 19-1-103) states “Any case in which a child is subjected to sexual assault or molestation, sexual exploitation, or prostitution;” Child sexual abuse occurs when a child is used for the sexual gratification of another. Sexual abuse also includes taking pornographic pictures or making a child available for prostitution.
A FLOW CHART IN CHILD WELFARE Report of suspected child abuse or neglect is made to Child Welfare Services (CWS). Screening decision-maker reviews report. Referral does not warrant CWS intervention. Eligible mandated reporter receives a letter. Report meets criteria and is routed to 1 of 2 paths: Traditional or alternative response. Assessment begins with up to 30 to 60 days to complete. Case is closed. Concerns are identified and services are needed. Family may receive CWS and/or is referred to community services. Case is closed (support plan). PROTECTIVE NEED identified. Case is opened for ongoing services (safety plans). Does report meet criteria for assessment? Child remains in home. If removed Relative/Kinship placement. If removed Foster Care placement. Permanency planning begins & continues till closure. Are there any concerns to be addressed? Is ongoing CW intervention warranted?
Larimer County Children, Youth, and Family Division Mission Our goal, as partners with the community, is to provide access to information, assessment, intervention and services which support children remaining safe, stable and intact within their families and communities, while respecting the culture of each family. ❖ The well-being of children is a community issue/responsibility of which CYF plays an important role. ❖ Caseworkers, in partnership with the community, have a responsibility to identify all possible resources that ensure family safety and functioning. ❖ Child placement is not the solution; it is part of the process to ensure safety. ❖ Parents are accountable/responsible for raising their children. ❖ Parents have a right to raise their children. ❖ Children have a right to a relationship with parents and kin. ❖ Kin have an obligation to help parents/children. ❖ CYF has a responsibility to respect individual family culture.
Larimer County Practice Differential Response Model ❖ Safety of Child ❖ Partnership with Families ❖ Collaboration with Professionals ❖ Respect Differences ❖ Balanced Assessment ❖ Solution Focused Partnering for Safety ❖ Enduring Safety for Children ❖ Good Working Relationships ❖ Work is focused on a Vision for Future Safety ❖ Partnership with Community ❖ Children’s and families’ voices are at the center of the work Trauma Informed Child Protection System ❖ Screen for impact of trauma ❖ Assess to understand trauma ❖ Use family meetings to connect resources ❖ Personalized interventions ❖ Develop lasting resilience
Click Here to see the CDHS Colorado Office of Children, Youth & Families Division of Child Welfare Website
If you suspect child abuse and/or neglect, youshould make the call!
Call LCDHS: (970) 498-6990 Or To report abuse/neglect of a childwho resides outside LarimerCounty: Call 1-844-CO-4-KIDS LARIMER COUNTY CYF SERVICESPromoting Safety & Strengthening Families The Hub2555 Midpoint Drive, Suite FFort Collins, Colorado 80525www.co.larimer.org/dhs/cyf