November 25, 2013

Work Plan
Quality Assurance Review: Hotline Reports

Page 1

This document represents the DES plan and timeline to review 6,110 reports that were recently identified as not investigated. The plan is set out in two distinct phases. Phase one recounts the work already done to assess and categorize the 2,919 cases from January 1, 2013 until the process was ceased on November 13, 2013. Phase two outlines the review process for cases from 2009 through January 2013. This phase also includes the investigation of the allegations in the reports. It is the Department's objective to mitigate to the degree possible the impact of this work on the caseloads of caseworkers.

Phase I

Goal

Action

Start

Due Outcome/Update

Comment

Identify staff to review reports. Establish protocol for reviewing cases. Review Reports categorizing as follows: -- Assessed whether or not a report requires an immediate response; -- The report qualifies as a potential Alternative Investigation (AI); Assess Hotline Reports from January -- Report does not qualify for an AI and must be assigned for field investigation; 1, 2013 to November, -- There is a current open report on the case that was received subsequent to the report being reviewed; 13 2013. Assign for -- Exceptions (e.g. child victim is currently over 18 years old). investigation as appropriate Provide immediate notification to OCWI and CPS for any report that requires an expedited response. Identify reports that should be coded as "criminal conduct" (CC); notify OCWI. Assign cases requiring a field investigation. Summary of 2013 reports reviewed: Immediate Response: 10 Potential Alternative Investigation: 879 Field Investigation (includes 23 potential criminal conduct): 1,797 Current Open Case: 125 Exceptions: 108 Total: 2,919

11/14/2013 11/15/2013 Completed 11/14/2013 11/15/2013 Completed 11/15/2013 11/17/2013 Completed

11/15/2013 11/17/2013 Completed 11/18/2013 11/18/2013 Completed 11/25/2013 11/25/2013 Completed

November 25, 2013

Work Plan
Quality Assurance Review: Hotline Reports

Page 2

Phase II

Goal

Action
Identify DCYF and OCWI staff to conduct review of uninvestigated reports.

Start

Due Outcome/Update

Comment
Meeting held 11/25/13 with staff identified to date. Review to begin 11/25/13.

11/22/2013 11/26/2013

Prepare case list for distribution for review. Confirm protocol for reviewing cases. Provide review process protocol to identified reviewers. Identify Staff and Review Process of Identify timeframe for review. Uninvestigated Reports 2009 -- 2012 Reports reviewed will be categorized as follows: -- Assessed whether or not a report requires an immediate response; -- The report qualifies as a potential Alternative Investigation (AI); -- Report does not qualify for an AI and must be assigned for field investigation; -- There is a current open report on the case that was received subsequent to the report being reviewed; -- Exceptions (e.g. child victim is currently over 18 years old). Instruct staff on the review process and procedures.

11/22/2013 11/25/2013 Completed 11/25/2013 11/25/2013 Completed 11/25/2013 11/25/2013 Completed 11/25/2013 11/25/2013 Completed Timeframe will run from 11/25/13 through COB 12/2/13.

11/25/2013 11/25/2013 Completed

11/25/2013 11/26/2013

Additional instruction will occur regarding A.A.C. R6-55507 regarding AI.

Review Uninvestigated Reports

Provide immediate notification to OCWI and CPS for any report that requires an expedited response. Identify reports that should be coded as "criminal conduct" (CC).

11/25/2013

12/2/2013

11/25/2013

12/2/2013

Identify reports that meet the AI criteria.

11/25/2013

12/2/2013

November 25, 2013

Work Plan
Quality Assurance Review: Hotline Reports Action
OCWI confirms CC classifications for reports including potential criminal conduct.

Page 3

Goal

Start
11/25/2013

Due Outcome/Update
12/2/2013

Comment
As a participant in the review process, OCWI will be consulted in all potential CC reports.

Provide Summary Report of the Review Summary of Reports 2009 -- 2012 of Uninvestigated Immediate Response: TBD Reports Potential Alternative Investigation: TBD Field Investigation: TBD Current Open Case: TBD Exceptions: TBD Total: 3,191 Identify potential supplementary workforce to conduct investigations.

11/25/2013

Conduct Investigations of Identified reports

on-going 7 Program Managers 3 Deputy Program Managers 37 Asst. Program Managers 160 CPS Unit Supervisors 22 Central Office staff 28 OCWI Investigators on-going 1/31/2014 Curriculum has been developed. Target Date: 1/31/14 All investigations initiated or completed as appropriate.

Provide Refresher Training for the supplementary workforce identified to conduct investigations. Conduct investigations of all reports referred to the field.

12/2/2013 11/25/2013

Develop a process for triaging reports at the time they are received using the alternative Establish Appropriate investigation process outlined in A.A.C. R6-5-5507 . The process will include detailed Quality Control for instructions on completing an AI and a quality assurance review of the decision. future Alternative Investigations

11/25/2013

12/4/2013

R6-5-5507. Alternative Investigation A. Upon receipt of a report, a CPS unit supervisor may conduct an alternative investigation. B. To conduct an alternative investigation, CPS shall contact a mandatory reporting source who is currently involved with the family and can provide information that: 1. The child and other children residing in the home are not: a. Current victims of maltreatment, or b. At risk of imminent harm; and 2. The allegations are unsubstantiated. C. A CPS administrator shall review and approve any decision to conduct an alternative investigation. D. If information gathered during an alternative investigation indicates that an alleged victim may be at risk of harm, the CPS Supervisor shall immediately assign the case for field investigation. E. CPS shall not conduct an alternative investigation if an allegation involves an alleged victim who is: 1. Already in Department custody, 2. Currently the subject of an open CPS case, 3. In a DES- or DHS-licensed or certified facility, or 4. In a DES-licensed family foster home.