Cross-Reporting Among Agencies That Respond to Child Abuse and Neglect - Delaware

Cross-Reporting Between Child Protective Services and Law Enforcement

Citation: Ann. Code Tit. 16, §§ 903; 906

Any person, agency, organization, or entity who knows or in good faith suspects child abuse or neglect shall make a report in accordance with § 904 of this title. In addition to and not in lieu of reporting to the Division of Family Services (DFS), any such person also may give oral or written notification of said knowledge or suspicion to any police officer who is in the presence of such person for the purpose of rendering assistance to the child in question or investigating the cause of the child's injuries or condition.

The law enforcement agency investigating a report of child abuse or neglect shall report every case of child abuse or neglect to DFS, as required by § 903 of this title.

In implementing the Department of Justice's role in the child protection system, it shall report every case of child abuse or neglect to DFS pursuant to § 903 of this title.

The disclosure of case-specific data and information to the multidisciplinary team is authorized to ensure a comprehensive, integrated, multidisciplinary response to child abuse cases.

Other Reporting Requirements

Citation: Ann. Code Tit. 16, § 906; DFS Pol. Man., # 1(C-3)

The law enforcement agency investigating a report of child abuse or neglect shall notify the Department of Justice upon receipt of a report of death or serious physical injury of a child.

DFS shall do the following:

• Ensure that every case involving the death or near death of a child due to abuse or neglect is reported to the Child Protection Accountability Commission and every case involving the death of a child to the Child Death Review Commission
• Ensure that all cases involving allegations of child abuse or neglect by a person known to be licensed or certified by a Delaware agency or professional regulatory organization, have been reported to the appropriate Delaware agency or professional regulatory organization

In implementing the Department of Justice's role in the child protection system, it shall do the following:

• Ensure that every case involving the death or near death of a child due to abuse or neglect is reported to the Child Protection Accountability Commission and every case involving the death of a child to the Child Death Review Commission
• Ensure that all cases involving allegations of child abuse or neglect by a person known to be licensed or certified by a Delaware agency or professional regulatory organization have been reported to the appropriate Delaware agency or professional regulatory organization

In policy: Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) have been developed by DFS to provide detailed agreements with other public agencies about how joint investigations and casework will be accomplished. This includes an MOU between DFS and the Dover Air Force Base Family Advocacy Center for investigation and collaborative intervention.