RD69 - Evaluation of the Differential Response System - December 2007


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 eighth 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 caretaker(s) 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 further 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 received by local agencies from January through December 2006. State fiscal year data from the Department’s Referrals and Findings Reports are also used for some analyses.

This report also includes data from two sets of reviews: (1) reviews of 220 referrals in which the first meaningful contact was later than called for by local agency guidelines and (2) reviews of 102 reports that local agencies did not accept as valid CPS complaints. A highly experienced, retired CPS supervisor from one of the local agencies that piloted the Multiple Response System conducted the case reviews. The results of the reviews are presented in the second part of this report.