Protocol for Frequency of Contacts with Children Involved in a CPS Investigation

Per the CPS Program Manual, a full CPS investigation shall include at least one home visit with one faceto-face contact with the subjects and other persons named on the report. The circumstances of the
case will help the caseworker to determine the frequency of the visits and whether they will be
announced or unannounced.
The following guidelines will help Erie County CPS workers and supervisors determine the frequency of
contacts with children named in a CPS report:


While the investigation is open, contact should occur every 30 days, or more often as deemed
necessary, for the following children:
o Children under the age of 5 who are not regularly seen in a licensed setting such as Day
Care, Head Start, or Pre-School.
o All children, regardless of age, who have special needs and/or are medically fragile children.
This would include, but not be limited to, developmentally delayed children, immobile
children, and children diagnosed as Failure to Thrive.
o Children living with a parent or caretaker who previously had children removed from his or
her care by the child welfare system. This applies whether or not the children were
subsequently returned to the parent or caretaker.
o Children living with a parent or caretaker who was previously indicated for the abuse or
physical maltreatment of any child.
o Any other child in a particularly vulnerable situation (e.g. a child living in a home with
frequent police calls for domestic violence, alcohol, or drug issues; a child who is cutting;
etc.).



For children who do not fall into the categories outlined above, the following would be required
prior to case closing, in lieu of a 30 day contact: Within seven days of submitting the case for
closure, the caseworker will have had face-to-face, telephone, or email contact with someone who
has regular, significant interaction with the child and who can provide the caseworker with relevant
feedback as to the status, safety, and well-being of the child. This may include a case manager, a
case planner, a school official, a day care provider, a medical provider or mental health provider
who sees the child regularly (a doctor who only sees the child for yearly physicals would not qualify
in this instance, but a specialist who sees the child regularly and is treating the child for a condition
mentioned in a medical neglect report would qualify), an unbiased relative, or a non-custodial
parent who has regular visits with the child. There will be at least one such collateral contact for
each child on the report or in the home for whom a 30 day contact is not required.



The previous bullet notwithstanding, no case will be closed without administrative approval
(Coordinator level or above) if any child named on the report or living in the home has not been
seen within the past 60 days.

6/3/15