Case Flow Reports

When there is a report of abuse or neglect of a child made to a Child Protective Services office, a Family Services Specialist (FSS) is on hand to assess the report and determine whether or not it is a valid complaint (please see the Virginia code to understand what constitutes a valid case  § 63.2-1508 ).

If a report is determined to be valid, it is assigned to a Family Services Specialist as either a Family Assessment or an Investigation.

More serious valid reports, including those alleging serious injury, sexual abuse, or the death of a child, become Investigations. The FSS will determine the Investigation to be ‘founded” (meaning there is a preponderance of the evidence that abuse or neglect occurred) or ‘unfounded’ (meaning there was not a preponderance of the evidence that abuse or neglect occurred).

Please refer to the latest version of the  Virginia Department of Social Services Manual  for details on how child abuse and neglect cases are handled by the Department of Social Services and local Child Protective Services offices.

• Reported cases of abuse and neglect - This is the total number reports received by Local Departments of Social Services throughout the fiscal years(s) represented in the reports.
• Accepted cases of abuse and neglect - Reports deemed valid pursuant to  § 63.2-1508  and therefore accepted by Local Departments of Social Services for a response. These cases are either moved to a Family Assessment track or an Investigation track.
  • No Selection - This is the number of reported cases of abuse and neglect where validation was not determined by Local Departments of Social Services at the time the reports were generated.
  • Invalid Cases - The number of reported cases that, after a preponderance of the evidence, it was determined not to meet the four criteria outlined in  § 63.2-1508  of the Code of Virginia.
• Family Assessment - The is the total number of cases accepted by Local Departments of Social Services that followed a Family Assessment response track. The Family Assessment track allows the Department of Social Services to assess the family with a focus on identifying the family’s strengths and needs as well as risk for future maltreatment. Referrals for services and resources may be provided to the family during the assessment time (Please refer to the latest version of the  Virginia Department of Social Services Manual  for details on how the department and Local Departments of Social Services offices conduct family needs assessment ). Family Assessments do not involve a formal determination or substantiation of child abuse or neglect. Names are not entered into the state’s Central Registry. For example, an allegation of inadequate supervision or substance-exposed infant would typically be followed as a Family Assessment whereas an allegation of severe physical abuse or sexual abuse would follow the response track of an Investigation. It is important to note that the Code of Virginia allows a Family Assessment track to be elevated to an Investigation track should information emerge that deems it necessary to ensure child safety. An Investigation may not be downgraded to a Family Assessment.
• Pending Family Assessment - Family Needs were still being assessed at the time the report was generated.
• Investigated - This is the total number of cases accepted by Local Departments of Social Services that followed the Investigation response track. As mentioned, typically accepted cases with allegations of severe physical abuse or sexual abuse would follow the Investigation response track pursuant to subsection I of  § 63.2-1503  and  § 63.2-1505 .
• Pending- This is the number of cases in the Investigation track where disposition had not been determined at the time the reports were generated.
• Founded - For cases that follow an Investigation track, Local Departments of Social Services work internally or in concert with law enforcement and the Commonwealth Attorney to determine if abuse and/or neglect occurred. Such cases are deemed ‘Founded’. "Founded" means that a review of the facts shows by a preponderance of the evidence that child abuse or neglect has occurred. A determination that a case is Founded shall be based primarily on first source evidence; in no instance shall a determination that a case is Founded be based solely on indirect evidence or an anonymous complaint.
  • Founded Level 1 - This level includes those injuries or conditions, real or threatened, that result in or were likely to have resulted in serious harm to a child.
  • Founded Level 2 - This level includes injuries or conditions, real or threatened, that result in or were likely to have resulted in moderate harm to a child.
  • Founded Level 3 - This level includes injuries or conditions, real or threatened, that result in or were likely to have resulted in minimal harm to a child. (see ‘Assessments in Family Assessments and Investigations’  22VAC40-705-110  for more details)
• Unfounded - This is the total number of cases that followed the Investigation track where abuse and/or neglect was not ‘Founded’/’Substantiated’ by a preponderance of the evidence.