Screening and Intake

Reports or referrals of possible child abuse and neglect are generally received by child protective services intake staff. Often, statewide, toll-free hotlines are used to receive calls. In some cases, reports are received by local police departments. Staff use criteria to decide if the report should be accepted for investigation or assessment; these are often called screened-in reports. Reports that do not meet the criteria may be screened out and referred to other services.

Intake Process
Child and Family Services Reviews
Provides information on the process and criteria for screening in or out reports of child maltreatment. Information is also provided on the referral process, investigations, and differential response.

Making and Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect

Series Title	State Statutes
Author(s)	Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability	View Download (PDF - 1,234KB)
Year Published	2017

Discusses state laws and regulations that specify the procedures that state child protection agencies must follow when responding to reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. The issues addressed include individual responsibility to report, content of reports, screening reports, investigation procedures, timeframes for completing investigations, and classification of investigative findings. Special procedures for handling child fatalities and drug-exposed children also are addressed. Summaries of laws for all states and U.S. territories are included.

Measurement Tools for Child Welfare
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
Includes screening and assessment tools commonly used in child welfare or by related professionals.