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Family Services / Child Protective Services / Family Assessments
CPS will respond to valid child abuse or neglect reports by conducting a family assessment or an investigation. The goals of both responses are to assess the child’s safety, support the family when possible, and prevent future child abuse or neglect.
A family assessment is conducted when:
Reports that are initially determined to be appropriate for a family assessment response may be reconsidered for an investigation, if there is evidence of serious abuse or neglect, or child safety concerns.
In most cases, the CPS worker and family members work together to complete a child safety and family needs assessment. Meeting with the CPS worker provides an opportunity for the caretaker to share their concerns and perspectives on how to raise their child, to identify family needs, to ask questions, and to obtain immediate feedback.
If the caretaker chooses not to participate in a family assessment, the CPS worker will continue conducting a child safety assessment, as required by law. The CPS worker will provide the caretaker with written feedback concerning their child’s safety and related needs, including any recommended services.
During a Family Assessment, a CPS Worker Will:
A CPS family assessment should be completed within 60 days from the date of the report.
If the family needs services, the CPS worker will offer to develop a service plan with them, and connect them to available community resources such as family counseling, parent support groups, substance abuse services, children’s programs, day care, etc.
The caretaker may choose to decline services that are offered because of the family assessment. The case will be closed if there is no threat to child safety. If child safety is an issue, the CPS worker will consider petitioning the court to require additional services.
If the caretaker believes the report was made maliciously or in bad faith, they can petition the circuit court for access to the CPS record, including the identity of the reporter.
To assess child safety, a CPS worker is allowed to speak with a child and their siblings without parental knowledge or consent. The parent or caretaker will be notified as soon as possible after the interview.
The CPS worker has the right to examine a child for injuries or signs of abuse or neglect without the parent or caretaker’s consent. The CPS worker may also take photographs and decide to get a child X-rayed.
Photographs of the child’s living conditions may be taken with the consent of the parent or caretaker, or under the direction of the local Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.
Any person involved in a Family Assessment must notify CPS before they move and provide their new address.
After the family assessment is complete, the caretaker may request a copy of their personal information in the CPS record. These records are kept by the local department of social services. The request should be granted unless there is an ongoing criminal investigation or criminal proceeding, or the personal information in the file could endanger the well-being of a child or other persons.
For additional information about the child protective services process, visit Child Protective Services.
Laws relating to CPS can be found in Title 63.2, Chapter 15: Child Abuse and Neglect of the Code of Virginia at law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title63.2/chapter15
Regulations related to CPS can be found in the Virginia Administrative Code (VAC) Title 22, Agency 40, Chapter 705: law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title22/agency40/chapter705
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