Disagreement doesn't automatically preclude offering FAR if:
No immediate safety factors exist.
Satisfactory record review.
No open CPS investigations (unless new report assigned to open FAR case).
Agreement by parents, guardians, and PLR.
Participation in FAR is voluntary.
Number of previous reports shouldn't be the sole factor.
Conditions for Proceeding with FAR with One Parent's Consent
One parent who is a subject consents.
CPS believes FAR can achieve positive results.
FAR can proceed:
Whether non-consenting parent is a subject.
Whether consenting parent lives with the child.
Whether consenting parent has physical custody.
FAR should not be used if there is no realistic possibility of assisting the family, even if legally permissible.
If the only consenting parent is not a subject in the report, the case cannot be assigned to FAR.
Time Limit and Rationale for Track Assignment
Final track decision (FAR or investigative) must be made within seven days of SCR report receipt.
Track assignment cannot be changed after seven days without closing the report and calling in a new report to the SCR.
CPS must document the rationale for the track assignment in the Comments section of the seven-day safety assessment.
Conducting the Family Assessment
Apply FAR principles until reassigned to investigative track or closed.
Family engagement and respect are core values.
Motivate and empower family members.
Initial contact with the family
LDSS should be respectful and cooperative from the very first contact with the family.
First contact sets the tone for future engagement.
First contact should be by telephone, requesting a face-to-face meeting.
Inform parents of SCR report and concerns.
Explain FAR to parents.
Advise parents a trusted friend or relative may be present for the visit.
If there are any concerns related to domestic violence, it is advisable to have separate initial meetings.
LDSS should go the family’s home without scheduling an initial meeting only if the LDSS is unable to verify within 24 hours that the children are safe in the home.
If the LDSS arrives unannounced and can determine the children are not in immediate or impending danger of serious harm, the LDSS should make an appointment to return at a time that is convenient for the family.
LDSS should avoid conferring with the child(ren) before meeting with the parent.
When the LDSS cannot immediately verify a child’s safety and cannot reach a parent to obtain permission, the LDSS should meet with the child.
Required Casework Activities
Provide information and written notification to the family about FAR.
Must include:
A verbal description of FAR and how voluntary participation in FAR is different from being the subject in a CPS investigation, including that a FAR report does not result in a determination.
Explain the importance of ongoing collaboration and information about the confidentiality of FAR records.
Explain that all LDSS representatives are mandated reporters.
Techniques for facilitating dialogue can be utilized such as “Three Houses” and “Wizard and Fairy."
Family Consent for FAR
Verbal consent is sufficient and must be documented by the LDSS in CONNX.
LDSS must honor choice to assign the report to the CPS investigative track, if parents or caretakers do not consent to FAR.
CPS must provide written notification of the report to every parent, guardian, or person legally responsible for the care of the children named in the report, no later than seven days of receiving report.
A “Notice of Existence for FAR Cases” is located in CONNX, in both English and Spanish.
Verbal notify the participating parent(s) about the subsequent report if there is a subsequent report during an open FAR case.
Complete the seven-day safety assessment.
Engage the family, transparent with families regarding all case actions.
Focus on holistic understanding of family’s funtioning.
LDSS views and engages with parents as partners in maintaining child safety, encouraging families to seek help when they need it.
Engaging Absent Parents
Discuss absent parent with participating parent.
Determine if absent parent could positively contribute to child's life.
Base inclusion decision on circumstances (comfort, domestic violence, potential role).
Family-Led Assessment Guide (FLAG)
Engage family in joint examination of concerns, strengths, risks, and needs documented via FLAG.
Collaborate with family to complete FLAG.
Initiate assessment ASAP, no later than 30 days after report receipt.
Complete at least one FLAG in CONNX before case closure.
FLAG Ratings (LDSS and Family Agree)
0 = Clear strength.
1 = No service needed, build strengths.
2 = Need for services (or services already in place).
Number must be commensurate with assessment needs.
No specific requirements unless case is open >90 days.
Focus on solutions co-developed with the family.
Include all family members, solutions beyond referrals.
Offer Needed Services
Aid family in implementing solutions that support well-being and reduce risk.
Provide information, build networks, advocate, refer, and/or pay for goods/services.
FAR participant doesn't need to complete or sign and Application for Services to receive services.
Acceptance of service or goods by families is voluntary.
Closing a FAR Report
FAR intended to be short-term (usually within 60 days).
Can be open for 90 days under limited circumstances.
If family needs services beyond 90 days, open a preventive services case with consent.
Decision to close should be made in conjunction with the family.
Case should be closed if family is providing adequate care, children are safe, and family requests no further services.
Notify parents of report closure within seven days.
Written notice must inform the family and subjects that the FAR report is legally sealed and will be maintained for 10 years from the date the report was received by the SCR.
Safety and Risk Assessments
Safety: Immediate danger to child's life/health.
Risk: Probability of future abuse/maltreatment.
FAR aims to meet needs affecting children's safety/well-being.
Initial Safety Assessment in FAR
Determines eligibility to remain in FAR track.
Requires finding that no child is in immediate danger.
LDSS must initiate assessment within 24 hours.
Individual Contacts
Establish face-to-face or telephone contact within 24 hours.
Contact source of report (confirm/expand details).
Contact subject(s) and family (inform, assess safety, engage).
Assess health/well-being, living conditions, safety factors.
See every child named in the report.
Criteria and Safety Decision
Determine if safety factors are present.
Evaluate immediate danger based on safety criteria.
Safety decision guides track assignment (FAR or CPS investigation).
Documentation of the Initial Safety Assessment
Record in CONNX; supervisor approval within seven days.
Document reasons for track assignment (FAR or investigation).
Ongoing Safety Assessments
Continually monitor child safety throughout the case.
Assess in each interaction with the family.
Risk Assessment
Ongoing periodic assessments with the family.
Use knowledge of family history and current struggles.
Consider FLAG information and engagement tools.
Documenting FAR Activities
Document all activities in CONNX.
Note collaborative FAR approach, discussions, and techniques.
Include demographic data, safety assessment findings, family contact details, Family-Led Assessment Guide (FLAG) information, and service details.
Actions After Seven Days
Failure to Cooperate: There must be both a refusal to cooperate and evidence of maltreatment.
Changing to investigation track after seven days, CPS must make a new report to the SCR in these circumstances:
A subsequent report is received that is ineligible for FAR.
There is evidence of abuse or immediate safety concerns.
The family fails to cooperate and there is evidence of maltreatment.
When a FAR case is closed and an investigation is opened for one of these reasons, the LDSS must ensure that anyone who has been working with the family and individuals recently assigned to the new case, communicate with each other to the extent practicable to minimize the disruption of any services being provided and coordinate with existing services being provided.
Subsequent Reports for Open FAR Cases
New report ineligible for FAR, it is assigned to the investigation track and the open FAR report must be closed
New report is assigned to FAR and incorporated into the same FAR case, if possible.
Inform the family about the new report and discuss the concerns identified and initiate an assessment of the current safety of the children.
Consolidating FAR Reports
Consolidate if timing is right and reports involve the same family and similar allegations.
Consider time to address concerns in the subsequent report and still close the open report in a timely manner.
FAR Administrative Requirements
Education and training.
An LDSS supervisor must review the assessments and decisions made by the LDSS representative providing the FAR response.
Case assignments and Contracting for FAR activities. Must Adhere to all laws and regulations applicable to FAR
Confidentiality Provisions
CPS investigating a subsequent report of abuse or maltreatment involving the same subject or the same child or children named in the report
Reports are sealed from the date of assignment to FAR.
FAR records maintained at SCR for 10 years.
Access limited to:
OCFS staff, Local or regional multidisciplinary investigative team (MDT), Citizen Review Panels established, The CPS responsible for the FAR case, Community-based agencies that have contracts
Court Access to FAR Records
In open cases, court may receive information with judicial finding, notice to parties, and court order.
Mandated Reporters Info
Mandated reporters may only receive general information about the FAR process.