RD272 - Annual Report on the Implementation of the Child-Protective Services Differential Response System


Executive Summary:
As directed by § 63.2-1504 of the Code of Virginia, the Department of Social Services (Department) implemented a Child Protective Services Differential Response System (DRS) on May 1, 2002. The Department also was directed to evaluate and report on DRS by submitting annual reports to the House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions and the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services. The Department has entered into an interagency agreement with Virginia Tech to assist in evaluation of the Differential Response System. This is the sixth annual report on the status of the Department's implementation of DRS.

The Differential Response System provides two different response options to reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.

1. The Investigation response track is the traditional Child Protective Services (CPS) response. If the local agency determines that abuse or neglect did occur, a disposition of founded" is made, and the name(s) of the caretakers) responsible for the abuse or neglect is placed in the state's Central Registry. Local departments offer services, when needed, to reduce the risk of abuse or neglect.

2. The Family Assessment response track is for valid CPS reports where there is no allegation that is required to be investigated or immediate concern for child safety. A family assessment identifies family strengths and service needs. Local departments offer services, when needed, to reduce the risk of abuse or neglect. No disposition is made and no names are entered into the Central Registry.

Virginia's Online Automated Services Information System (OASIS) is a primary source of data for the evaluation. Most data in this report are from referrals accepted by local agencies from January through December 2004. For some variables, DRS is also compared to a baseline period from fiscal year 2000 to fiscal year 2002. Data from the Department's CPS Referrals and Findings Reports (based on OASIS) are used for those comparisons.

This report includes data from two sets of case reviews. A highly experienced, retired CPS supervisor from one of the local agencies that piloted the Multiple Response System conducted one set of reviews. She reviewed 226 referrals, both investigations and family assessments, evaluated as high or moderate risk. The reviews focused on the basic characteristics of the referrals, service needs, and service provision. Special attention was paid to circumstances leading to children entering foster care. The second set of reviews was conducted in response to a JLARC study that found instances when local agencies did not respond to complaints in a timely matter. (*1) The CPS regional specialists reviewed those referrals. Their findings are presented in this report.
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(*1) Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, Review of Child Protective Services in Virginia: A Report in a Series on the Operation and Performance of Protective Services in Virginia, House Document No. 21 (2005).