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You have made the call to DCF and then filed a 51A report. Now what will happen? When DCF receives a report of abuse and/ or neglect from a mandated reporter (or from anyone else concerned about a child’s welfare), Department personnel are required to evaluate the allegations and decide about the risks to, and the safety of the child(ren) involved. This process is guided by the DCF Protective Intake Policy 143
(May 18, 2021) and is designed to clearly articulate a primary and immediate focus on child safety in screening and responding to reports of child abuse and neglect.
The Protective Intake Policy is divided into two phases: (1) the screening of all reports; and (2) an investigative response to any report that is screened in. The screening and investigative response contained in the Policy are briefly summarized below.
Screening
Investigative Response
All reports that are screened in:
The policy framework also includes staff and case supervision requirements, and outlines circumstances that require supervisors to seek assistance from Department managers, attorneys or clinical specialists for collaborative review of complex cases.
During DCF’s screening and response process, all mandated reporters are required to answer the Department’s questions and provide information to assist in determining whether a child is being (or is at risk of being) abused and/or neglected, or is a victim of human trafficking for sexual exploitation, or of human trafficking for labor, and in assessing the child’s safety in the household.
When the initial call is made, and when filling out the 51A, the reporter should be prepared to provide the following information if known (Also see Mandated Reporter’s Guide 144 on the Safe Kids Thrive website):
NOTE: If you do not have all this information, do not let this keep you from filing. File with what information you do have and let the professionals make their determinations. |
Next, as outlined above, the report is screened. The purpose of the screening process is to gather sufficient information to determine whether the allegation meets the Department’s criteria for suspected abuse, neglect, or risk of human trafficking (i.e., is a “reportable condition”); whether there is immediate danger to the safety of a child; and whether DCF involvement is necessary to ensure the child’s safety and well-being. Reports that are determined to be emergencies are screened in immediately and a response must be initiated within two hours. Reports that are not emergencies are screened within one working day.
During the screening process DCF obtains information from the person filing the report and also gathers information from other sources including professionals involved with the family, such as doctors, nurses, or other service providers who may be able to provide information about the child’s condition. Screeners will also review DCF records and databases to determine any prior involvement of the parents or caregivers or their children; talk with other DCF staff who may have knowledge of the child or family; request information from child protection services in other states; conduct CORI/SORI checks of parents/ caregivers and others living with the family; contact the District Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement 145
; search online sources and social media; and may request a clinical review.
As a result of this process, the report is either screened in for an emergency response, screened in for a non-emergency response, or screened out. If the report is screened in for emergency response, the screener has determined that the failure to take immediate action would pose a substantial risk of death, serious emotional or physical injury or sexual abuse to a child, and an investigative response is initiated within two hours. An initial determination of the child’s safety is completed within 24 hours, and all response activities as well as a report documenting the DCF response must be completed within five days.
If a report is screened in for a non-emergency response, it has been determined that although the child may have been abused or neglected, or may be at risk for abuse, neglect, or human trafficking, the situation as reported does not pose an immediate threat to the child. In these cases, a response must be initiated within 2 working days and all response activities including a report must be completed within 15 working days (See Appendix I: What Happens When DCF Receives a 51A Report). In either case, when the case is screened in, and the DCF response supports the initial allegation(s), the case is assigned to a response worker who is responsible to complete the assessment and response plan.
143 https://www.mass.gov/doc/dcf-protective-intake-policy/download
145 Contact is mandatory if a child has died or has been sexually assaulted/exploited/trafficked or is the victim of serious physical abuse or injury.
Presenters: Joan Tabachnick, Emma Halper, and Rachel King, PhD For decades, sexual violence…
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