CPI EXAM

Child Maltreatment

Any act or series of acts by a caregiver that results in harm, potential harm, or threat of harm to a child. This includes abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) and neglect.

Risk Assesment

The process of evaluating the likelihood that a child will experience harm or danger in the future based on current information and past behavior.

Protective Factors

Conditions or attributes that reduce or eliminate risk and help children thrive, such as a supportive family environment or access to social services.

Safety Plan

A detailed plan created with the family to keep a child safe, outlining specific steps to address and mitigate risks.

Substantiation

A determination that the evidence gathered during an investigation supports the allegation of abuse or neglect.

Reasonable Efforts

Steps taken by DCYF to prevent removal of a child from their home or to reunify the family after removal when it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Mandated Reporter

“[a]ny person who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that any child has been abused or neglected as defined in R.I.G.L. §40-11-2 or has been a victim of sexual abuse by another child shall, within 24 hours, transfer that information to the Department of Children, Youth & Families or its agent who shall cause the report to be investigated immediately.”

Trauma-Informed Care

An approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on a child’s behavior and responses and aims to provide care that supports healing and recovery.

Family Reunification

The process of returning a child who has been placed in foster care back to their biological family when safety concerns have been resolved.

Neglect Vs Abuse

Neglect involves failing to provide for a child’s basic needs (like food, shelter, or supervision), while abuse involves actively causing physical, emotional, or sexual harm

Definition of Safe

when there are no present or impending danger threats, or the caregivers’ protective capacities control existing threats.

Definition of Unsafe

when they are vulnerable to the present or impending danger threats, and caregivers have insufficient protective capacity to control these existing threats

Abuse

Intentional harm or mistreatment of a child (can be physical, emotional, or sexual).

Neglect

Failure to provide basic needs like food, shelter, supervision, or medical care.

Reasonable Suspicion

A legal threshold indicating enough concern to report abuse or initiate an investigation.

Imminent Risk

Immediate danger to the child’s safety requiring urgent action.

Substantiated Report

A report where evidence confirms abuse or neglect occurred.

Unsubstantiated Report

A report where there isn’t enough evidence to confirm abuse/neglect.

Due Process

The legal right to fair procedures and hearings during investigations or court actions.

Protective Custody

Temporary removal of a child from the home due to safety concerns, often requiring court approval.

Family Court

Court that handles child welfare, custody, and protection issues.

Forensic Interviewing

A structured, non-leading method used to gather information from children during abuse investigations.

Collateral Contact

A person who can provide information about the child's situation (e.g., teacher, neighbor, doctor).

Case Plan

A long-term intervention and support plan for the child and family, including services and goals.

Cultural Competency

The ability to work effectively with people of different backgrounds, respecting their values and beliefs.

Disproportionality

Overrepresentation of certain racial or ethnic groups in the child welfare system.

Community-Based Services

Support programs provided by local organizations to help families and prevent removal.

Multidisciplinary Team (MDT)

A group of professionals from different fields working together on a child protection case.

Confidentiality

Keeping case information private and only sharing with authorized individuals.

Objectivity

Making decisions based on facts, not emotions or biases.

Impartiality

Treating all parties fairly and avoiding conflicts of interest.

Chain of Custody

Documentation and control over physical evidence to maintain its integrity.

After-Hours Protocol

Emergency response guidelines followed by CPS staff outside of regular office hours.

What is a Petition

A formal written request filed in Family Court to take legal action, such as removing a child from the home or ordering services.

Preliminary Hearing

The first court hearing after a petition is filed, where the judge determines if the removal was justified.

Adjudication Hearing

A trial-like hearing where the court determines if the abuse/neglect allegations are legally proven.

Guardian ad Litem (GAL)

A person appointed by the court to represent the best interests of the child.

Legal Custody

The legal right to make decisions about a child; may be transferred to DCYF in cases of substantiated abuse/neglect.

Ex Parte Petition

An emergency petition filed without prior notice to the parent(s), usually when a child is in immediate danger.

Protective Holds

CPI and Cops 48hrs, Doctors 72 hours