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LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW A CASE MAKES ITS WAY INTO OUR SYSTEM.
INTAKE UNITS THROUGHOUT THE STATE HANDLE ALL CALLS FROM
THEIR COMMUNITIES REPORTING ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD ABUSE AND
NEGLECT, DURING REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS. THESE CALLS MAY ORIGINATE
FROM PROFESSIONALS, FROM FAMILY MEMBERS, NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS,
RELATIVES, OR ANY OTHER CONCERNED CITIZEN. SOCIAL
WORKERS WILL DETERMINE IF A CHILD IS AT IMMINENT RISK FOR
HARM. AND IF SO, AND IMMEDIATE INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY, THE
SOCIAL WORKER CAN CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND REQUEST A
'WELL CHILD CHECK'. IF THERE IS NO IMMINENT RISK, THEN A
REFERRAL WILL BE ASSIGNED TO THE APPROPRIATE INVESTIGATION
UNIT FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT AND FOLLOW UP SERVICES. BASED ON
THE ASSESSMENT, A CONTACT WILL BE MADE WITH THE FAMILY BY THE
LOCAL DCFS STAFF. THIS MAY BE THROUGH A DIRECT HOME VISIT
INVESTIGATION, OR THROUGH A REFERRAL TO AN ALTERNATIVE
RESPONSE, SUCH AS A CONTRACTED AGENCY SERVING FAMILIES THAT ARE
ASSESSED AT A LOWER RSIK. IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES THAT
THE CHILD, OR CHILDREN ARE AT IMMINENT RISK FOR HARM, PROPER
STEPS WILL BE TAKEN TO REMOVE THE CHILDREN FROM THEIR HOME,
AND EITHER PLACE THEM WITH A RELATIVE OR IN A LICENSED FOSTER
HOME. AND WITHIN 3 WORKING DAYS OF PLACEMENT, A DEPENDENCY
PETITION MAY BE FILED. THERE THEN, WILL BE A SHELTER CARE
HEARING IN JUVENILE OR TRIBAL COURT TO DETERMINE IF THE CHILD
REMAINS IN CUSTODY OR IS ABLE TO RETURN TO THE BIOLOGICAL
FAMILY. THE JUDGE WILL DECIDE WHETHER THE CHILD IS A DEPENDENT
OF THE STATE. FURTHER COURT HEARINGS WILL TAKE PLACE TO
REVIEW A CHILD'S CONTINUED NEED FOR PLACEMENT, AS WELL AS
PERMANENT PLAN AND PROGRESS BEING MADE BY THE BIOLOGICAL
FAMILY. MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE LEGAL
PROCESS WILL BE DELIVERED DURING THE PRE-SERVICE TRAINING. AND
YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO VIEW A WORKSHOP ON OUR WEBSITE THAT
DEALS WITH THE DEPENDENCY PROCESS. OUR WEBSITE ADDRESS
IS FOSTERPARENT.DSHS.WA.GOV