An unfounded report An unfounded report is any report that does not qualify as a founded report or an indicated report (Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Annual Child Abuse Report, 2021). The evidence does not support the assertion of child abuse (Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Annual Child Abuse Report, 2021).
Self-Assessment Quiz Question #10 An indicated report is a: a. Report in which evidence does not support the assertion of child abuse. b. Report that does not lead to criminal charges and that is based on the medical assessment, the child protective service investigation, or the admission of acts of abuse by the perpetrators of that abuse or neglect. c. Report that was escalated to the legal system and went to court. d. None of the above. if emergency protective custody is required or if it has been or will be taken; immediately if it cannot be determined from the report whether emergency protective custody is needed; or within 24 hours of receipt of the report in all other cases (Pennsylvania General Assembly, n.d.b). Upon conclusion of the child abuse investigation, the county agency will provide the results of its investigation to the department. Within three business days of receipt of the results of the investigation from the county agency, the department shall send notice of the final determination to the subjects of the report other than the abused child (Pennsylvania General Assembly, n.d.b). If a report was made by a mandated reporter under Section 6313 (relating to reporting procedure), the department shall notify the mandated reporter of all of the following within three business days of the department's receipt of the results of the investigation (Pennsylvania General Assembly, n.d.b): Whether the child abuse report is founded, indicated, or unfounded, and any services provided, arranged for, or to be provided by the county agency to protect the child. will transmit the information to the appropriate law enforcement official in the county where the suspected child abuse is alleged to have occurred for a joint investigation of the allegation(s). ● Referral to law enforcement officials only (LEO) – If the person suspected of committing child abuse is not a perpetrator but the behavior constituting the suspected child abuse may include a violation of a criminal offense, ChildLine will transmit the information to the appropriate law enforcement official in the county where the suspected child abuse is alleged to have occurred for investigation of the allegation(s). ● Referral to county agency (GPS) – If the referral/report does not suggest the child is in need of protective services but suggests the child is in need of other services, ChildLine will transmit the information to the appropriate county agency for assessment of the needs of the child. to ChildLine. Mrs. Anderson can make the report either electronically by submitting it via the Child Welfare portal at https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home or orally by calling ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313. ChildLine will then forward Mrs. Anderson’s report to Department of Human Services, which will begin an investigation to determine if the abuse can be substantiated.
Section 6368 of the Child Protective Services Law investigation of reports Response to direct reports
Upon receipt of a report of suspected child abuse by a perpetrator from an individual, the Department of Human Services shall ensure the safety of the child and any other child in the alleged victim’s home (Pennsylvania General Assembly, n.d.b). Investigation of reports (23 Pa.C.S. § 6368) If a report was made by a mandated reporter, DHS shall notify the mandated reporter who made the report of suspected child abuse of all of the following within three (3) business days of DHS's receipt of the results of the investigation: ● Whether the child abuse report is founded, indicated, or unfounded. ● Any services provided, arranged for, or to be provided by the county agency to protect the child. Response to reports referred to county agency by department Upon receipt of a report of suspected child abuse from the department, the county agency shall immediately commence an investigation and see the child immediately After a referral/report is made When a county agency or law enforcement receives a referral/report, the county agency or law enforcement official is to notify DHS after ensuring the immediate safety of the child and any other child(ren) in the child's home. When ChildLine receives a referral/report, ChildLine will immediately evaluate and transmit the information to the appropriate agency for assessment or investigation: ● Referral to county agency (CPS) – If the suspected child abuse is alleged to have been committed by a perpetrator, ChildLine will transmit the information to the county agency where the suspected child abuse is alleged to have occurred for investigation of the allegation(s). ● Referral to county agency and law enforcement officials (LEO) – If the suspected child abuse is alleged to have been committed by a perpetrator and the behavior constituting the suspected child abuse may include a violation of a criminal offense, ChildLine Returning to the case study Mary’s teacher, Mrs. Anderson, has a duty to report suspected child abuse or neglect. A teacher is considered a mandated reporter by law. Mrs. Anderson should not feel responsible for substantiating the report, as this is the job of the child protection worker. Mary’s weight, school performance, inability to sustain appropriate peer relationships, and bruises should all be reported in detail
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Book Code: MPA0825
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