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.
Making and Screening Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect
| Series Title | State Statutes |
| Author(s) | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
| Availability | View Download (PDF - 1,255KB) |
| 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.