Idaho Administrative Code › Title IDAPA 16 - Health and Welfare, Department of › Rule 16.06.01 - CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES › CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES › Section 16.06.01.554 - RESPONSE PRIORITIES

Current through August 31, 2023
The Department must use the following statewide standards for
				  responding to allegations of abuse, neglect, or abandonment, using the
				  determination of risk to the child as the primary criterion. Any variance from
				  these response standards must be documented in the family's case file with a
				  description of action taken, and must be reviewed and signed by the Child and
				  Family Services Supervisor. (3-15-22)
01.
Priority I
. The Department
				must respond immediately if a child is in immediate danger involving a
				life-threatening or emergency situation. Emergency situations include sexual
				abuse when a child may have contact with the alleged perpetrator and
				circumstances indicate a need for immediate response. Law enforcement must be
				notified and requested to respond or to accompany a family services worker.
				Every attempt should be made to coordinate the Department's assessment with law
				enforcement's investigation. The child must be seen by a Department family
				services worker, law enforcement, and medical personnel if applicable,
				immediately unless written regional protocol agreements direct otherwise. All
				allegations of physical abuse of a child through the age of six (6) or with
				profound developmental disabilities should be considered under Priority I
				unless there is reason to believe that the child is not in immediate danger.
				(3-15-22)
02.
Priority
				II
. A child is not in immediate danger but allegations of abuse,
				including physical or sexual abuse, or serious physical or medical neglect are
				clearly defined in the referral. Law enforcement must be notified within
				twenty-four (24) hours. The child must be seen by the family services worker
				within forty-eight hours (48) of the Department's receipt of the referral. Law
				enforcement must be notified within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of all
				Priority II referrals that involve concerns of abuse, neglect, or abandonment.
				(3-15-22)
03.
Priority
				III
. A child may be in a vulnerable situation because of services needs
				which, if left unmet, may result in harm, or a child is without parental care
				for safety, health and well being. The child and parent(s) or legal guardian(s)
				will be interviewed for substantiation of the facts, and to assure that there
				is no abuse, neglect, or abandonment by parent(s) or legal guardian(s). A
				family services worker must respond within three (3) calendar days and the
				child must be seen by the worker within five (5) calendar days of the
				Department's receipt of the referral. (3-15-22)
04.
Notification of the Person Who Made
				the Referral
. The Department must notify the person who made the child
				protection referral of the receipt of the referral within five (5) days.
				(3-15-22)
05.
Disclosure of
				Information to Professionals
. The Department has the discretion to
				disclose, on a need-to-know basis, minimally necessary information to
				individuals who are professionally involved in the ongoing care of the child
				who is the subject of a report of abuse, neglect, or abandonment. This includes
				information that the professional will need to know in order to fulfill their
				role in maintaining the child's safety and well-being. This provision applies
				to: (3-15-22)
a. Physicians, residents on a
				hospital staff, interns, and nurses; (3-15-22)
b. School teachers, school staff, and day
				care personnel; and (3-15-22)
c.
				Mental health professionals, including psychologists, counselors, marriage and
				family therapists, and social workers. (3-15-22)