HD21 - Review of Child Protective Services in Virginia


Executive Summary:
[Several reports will be forthcoming in 2005]

In December 2003, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) directed staff to conduct a study of the child protective services (CPS) program in Virginia. The General Assembly subsequently enacted House Joint Resolution 193 during the 2004 session, which directed JLARC to study the operation and performance of the Commonwealth’s social services system, specifically including the delivery of prevention and early intervention services. This is the first of several reports anticipated under the HJR 193 mandate.

The study involved an extensive evaluation of the CPS program, including a review of approximately 1,700 randomly selected case files in 19 localities, as well as interviews with key participants in the CPS process in each of these localities. JLARC also reviewed a random sample of 150 cases closed in calendar year 2003 that involved a serious incident of abuse or neglect, and conducted a survey of all 120 CPS units in the State.

The study found that the decisions being made at key points in the CPS process appear to have a reasonable basis and are supporting the goals of protecting children from further abuse while preserving families to the extent possible. In addition, in most cases reviewed that involved serious harm, CPS units intervened reasonably when they had the opportunity to potentially prevent the abuse or neglect. In some of the less serious cases, response times were found to be too slow, and in a few instances CPS units could have taken further action to prevent serious harm that ultimately occurred.

The study also found that CPS units are making reasonable decisions and taking reasonable actions regarding the identification and monitoring of services for families. However, in some localities CPS staff would like to provide more services to a greater number of families, and some services are not sufficiently available.

The study further concluded that the State Department of Social Services generally appears to be providing adequate operational support to local CPS units, and that most local CPS units appear to have manageable caseloads. The study makes recommendations regarding case tracking, the 60-day case disposition requirement, and the treatment of young abusers.