Therefore, CPS must take a lead role in developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with potential referral sources, law enforcement officials, and other professionals who investigate the presence of maltreatment, and professionals and agencies that provide medical and mental health evaluation and treatment. A coordinated effort that involves a broad range of community agencies and professionals is essential for effective child protection. CPS Caseworker Competence Caseworker competence in CPS is predicated on the knowledge, skills, personal qualities, and values a person holds. Specific competencies are behaviors required of CPS professionals that enable them to perform effectively the tasks associated with each stage of the CPS casework process. Developing competence in CPS is an ongoing process.
Caseworkers build competence through training, experience, and supervision.
Examples of knowledge, skills, qualities, and values associated with competency in CPS are included in Table 1 .