A decision to reverse the Initial Assessment Decision of a report assigned for further assessment may be warranted when additional information becomes available.
A. Sufficient Information Needed to Request to Reverse the Initial Assessment
Decision:
A request to reverse the Initial Assessment Decision shall be allowed only with sufficient documentation and under the following circumstances:
1. The specific incident assigned was recently assessed or is currently being assessed.
a. Reports previously investigated or
b. Multiple reports on the same incident have been assigned for investigation.
i. Review shall be done by the Kansas Protection Report Center (KPRC) supervisor to determine if both allegations can be addressed through one report.
2. Law enforcement assessed the assigned incident, sufficient information is available to determine criteria is not met to assign for abuse/neglect or FINA, the safety of the child(ren) was determined per PPM 2310 and no other potential safety or risk factors were found which may require further assessment.
3. Additional information is received indicating the report does not meet the statutory definition of abuse/neglect or FINA or PPM directives.
4. DCF does not have authority to proceed and/or a conflict of interest. See PPM 1310C and PPM 1340.
5. FINA case and services are no longer indicated.
6. Reasonable attempts to determine safety as defined in PPM 2300 were made to contact a family of unknown identity, and the agency was unable to identify the family. If the family’s identity is known the assessment shall be completed. Available resources to attempt to contact shall be exhausted. For example, searching all DCF systems- KIDS, KIPS, FACTS and KEES, contacting the reporter, if known, attempting to locate through current address via mail or landlord, school records, employment, known friends or relatives. Any additional information received from these contacts to locate the family shall be pursued. Documentation of all attempts shall be attached to the report as a note in KIPS.
7. PWS case with a subsequent Abuse/Neglect or FINA case assignment and services shall be assessed and provided in the new event.
B. Submitting Request to Reverse the Initial Assessment Decision:
1. Prior to submitting a request to reverse the Initial Assessment Decision, the CPS specialist shall consult with the PPS supervisor.
2. The PPS supervisor shall review the documentation prior to submitting a request for a reverse of the Initial Assessment Decision to the Kansas Protection Report Center to determine whether any potential safety/risk or FINA concerns are present which suggest the need for further assessment.
3. The PPS supervisor shall submit supporting documentation to the Kansas Protection Report Center supervisors.
4. The request shall be made by the Family Based Assessment due date per PPS 1002, Section IX.
C. Reversing the Initial Assessment Decision:
1. A KPRC supervisor shall determine whether the documentation submitted meets criteria to reverse the Initial Assessment Decision.
2. Upon review of the information, the KPRC supervisor may request additional information from the PPS supervisor.
3. Upon determining the submitted information is sufficient, the KPRC supervisor shall make a decision by the next working day.
4. KPRC supervisor shall provide documentation supporting the decision in the Basis of the PPS 1002 Section V. The original basis statement indicating the acceptance of the report shall not be deleted.
D. Situations excluded from requesting to reverse the Initial Assessment
Decision includes:
1. The alleged victim(s) denies the allegations, or does not disclose abuse or neglect, requiring further investigation and assessment.
2. There is an indication additional interviews with siblings, care givers, or collaterals may provide information needed to complete a comprehensive assessment to address the allegations safety and/or risk concerns.
3. Law Enforcement reports received per K.S.A 38-2231 (d) require further investigation and assessment when abuse or neglect concerns are identified, unless,
a. law enforcement determined the child(ren) to be safe, and
b. law enforcement addressed the concerns in the report, and
c. law enforcement does not want DCF assistance, and
d. per DCF contact, the family is not in need of additional services.