GEORGIA DIVISION OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES

CHILD WELFARE POLICY MANUAL

Chapter:
Policy
Title:
Policy
Number:

(4) Intake
Receiving Intake Reports
4.1

Effective
Date:

June
2014

Previous
Policy #:

2103.4, 2103.7,
2.1, 2.2

CODES/REFERENCES
O.C.G.A. 15-11-2 Definition
O.C.G.A. 15-11-30 Rights and Duties of Legal Custodian
O.C.G.A. 15-11-130 Emergency Care and Supervision of Child Without Court Order
O.C.G.A. 15-11-131 Temporary Protective Custody by Physician Without Court Order (Terrell
Peterson Act of 2000)
O.C.G.A. 15-11-390 Filing Complaint
O.C.G.A. 16-6-9 Prostitution
O.C.G.A. 16-12-100 Sexual Exploitation of Children; Reporting Violation; Forfeiture; Penalties
O.C.G.A. 16-13-21 Controlled Substance
O.C.G.A. 19-7-5 Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
O.C.G.A. 19-7-6 Reporting Juvenile Drug Use
O.C.G.A. 19-10A -1 through O.C.G.A 19-10A- 7 Safe Place for Newborns
O.C.G.A. 19-15-3 County Multiagency Child Fatality Review Committee
O.C.G.A. 49-5-41 Persons and Agencies Permitted to Access Records
Child Abuse and Prevention Treatment Act (CAPTA) Reauthorization Act of 2010, P.L. 111-320
Child Abuse and Prevention Treatment Act (CAPTA) and the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of
2002
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act of 2002, Section 106 (b) (2) (F)
REQUIREMENTS
The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) shall receive reports 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, of known or suspected instances of child abuse and neglect, including
reports of physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation or negligent treatment or
maltreatment of a child under circumstances that indicate that the childs health or welfare is
threatened.
For the purposes of child abuse and neglect reports, the term child shall mean an individual
who has not yet attained 18 years of age, who is not an emancipated minor.
For the purpose of child abuse and neglect reports, an allegation of abuse and neglect shall
contain the following three required components:
1. An alleged maltreater who is a person reported to have caused or knowingly allowed
maltreatment of a child. Maltreater relationships are classified as any of the following:
1. A caregiver: Any person providing a residence for a child or any person legally
obligated to provide care or secure adequate care for a child, including his or her
parent, guardian, or legal custodian;
2. Other adult that continually or at regular intervals live in the home;

Page 1 of 30

3. Persons responsible for the care of the child;

4. An employee of a public or private residential home, child care institution, day or child
care facility;
5. School personnel.
2. A child from birth to under the age of 18 who is not an emancipated minor.
3. Known or suspected allegations of child abuse and neglect per Georgia statute and
DFCS policy. (See Practice Guidance)
NOTE: The report must contain sufficient information to either identify or locate the child
and/or family in order to initiate an Investigation or Family Support Services Assessment.
(See policy 4.3 Intake: Making an Intake Decision)
DFCS shall be available and accessible to the community continuously 24 hours a day, seven
days a week via a centralized intake call center (CICC) which may be contacted by calling (1855-GA-CHILD).
DFCS County Departments shall also be accessible 24 hours a day to respond to allegations of
abuse and neglect by:
1. Keeping current the list of available staff in the On-Call tab in Georgia SHINES;
2. Clearly listing numbers for reporting after office hours intake reports to the CPS Intake
Communications Center at 1-855-GACHILD (1-855-422-4453);
3. Providing the emergency 911 center, local law enforcement and providers of emergency
medical services with the telephone number of the County Director and administrative
staff responsible for the emergency after-hours response;
4. Assuring that a message is recorded for the principal agency telephone line directing the
reporter to call 1-855-GACHILD (1-855-422-4453) to make reports during periods of
office closure.
DFCS County Departments shall have a minimum of two listings in the local telephone
directories and when possible, include a listing under emergency telephone numbers. Local
phone listings should include:
1. A specific listing of "Child Abuse and Neglect Reports" under Department of Family and
Children Services, listing the CPS Intake Communications Center contact number 1-855GACHILD (1-855-422-4453);
2. A separate alphabetical listing in the white pages, which reads "Child Abuse and Neglect
Reports" and contains the CPS Intake Communications Center contact number 1-855GACHILD (1-855-422-4453).
DFCS shall receive intake reports via Telephone, Fax, Mail, Email and In-person interviews. Any
report received via Fax, Mail or Email shall be followed up by telephone contact to the reporter.
NOTE: Faxes, Emails, or Mail that meet the three (3) components of a report are considered as
having received an intake report. The date/time affixed on the fax/fax cover and the date/time
received in the agency via mail and email shall be used as the intake report date. If a Fax,
Email, or Mail does not meet the three components of an intake report immediately contact the
reporter to gather more information.
DFCS shall not contact anyone other than the reporter to obtain information during the Intake
Assessment. Contacting anyone other than the reporter is viewed as initiating the Investigation
or Family Support Services intervention. Every effort must be made to immediately contact the

Page 2 of 30

reporter and obtain sufficient information to determine whether there are present danger
situations or impending danger safety threats to a child. The Social Services Supervisor shall
also be consulted to ensure appropriate steps are taken to determine and ensure child safety.
(See Practice Guidance in policy 4.3 Intake: Making an Intake Decision with Limited Information)
The Intake Case Manager shall engage the reporter to gather information in conjunction with the
six family functioning areas on all intake reports. The Intake Case Manager (ICM) shall gather all
available information during the intake report to complete the Intake Assessment (IA).
DFCS shall enter all intake reports into Georgia SHINES immediately, but no later than the end
of the shift in which the intake report was received, regardless of the intake disposition.
NOTE: If an intake assessment is determined to contain a present danger situation the intake
report shall be entered immediately but not later than two hours of the receipt of the intake
report.
DFCS shall inform all reporters of the following:
1. The ability to make an anonymous report. Even if the reporter is unwilling to divulge
his/her name, the Intake Case Manager will continue with the intake report.
2. The reporter information will be kept confidential. However, the case record may be
subpoenaed as a result of court proceedings and the reporter cannot be assured
confidentiality will be fully protected;
NOTE: If asked or compelled in court to name a reporter, the SAAG/DFCS staff will
request that the reporters identity be disclosed in the judges chambers.
3. If court action is initiated to protect a child, it may be necessary for the reporter to appear
in court;
4. The reporter will be immune from liability when the report is made in good faith;
5. Intake reports that contain an allegation of abuse or neglect will be sent to local law
enforcement.
6. If a mandated reporter, the ability to obtain the status of the investigation (whether
completed or ongoing) and whether the investigation has been substantiated or
unsubstantiated.
7. If a mandated reporter, whether they would like to obtain the findings verbally or in writing
of any report assigned as an investigation.
8. If the mandated reporter is school personnel, they will be provided the information within
5 calendar days of the completion of the investigation.
NOTE: Intake reports from reporters that appear to be questionable shall not be deemed
invalid or screened out solely on the perception of the reporters truthfulness.
DFCS shall immediately, but no later than the end of shift in which the intake report was
received provide notification of all intake assessments that contain any allegation of child abuse
or neglect to the appropriate law enforcement agency or district attorney. (See policy 4.4 Intake:
Sharing Intake Reports with Law Enforcement and the District Attorney)
Distinct Types of Intake Reports
DFCS shall receive the following distinct type of intake reports to ensure the appropriate
assignment and/or routing: (See policy 4.3 Intake: Making an Intake Decision)
1. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC): This intake type includes
allegations of sexual abuse/prostitution of a child by an adult involving payment, or the

Page 3 of 30

treatment of the child as a sexual and commercial object.

2. Substance Use/Abuse: This intake type alleges the caregivers use/abuse of illegal
drugs or alcohol, as well as the impact on the caregivers ability to meet the needs of his
or her children.
3. Infants identified by medical personnel as being born with and identified as being
affected 1 by illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from
prenatal drug exposure or a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
4. Infants that are born alive in which there is suspected medical neglect, including
the withholding of medically indicated treatment from disabled infants with life
threatening conditions (CAPTA and the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002).
5. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth: Includes youth not living in the physical custody of
his/her parent or guardian and who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
residence.
NOTE: This includes youth awaiting foster care placement and meets the requirements
of McKinney-Vento. (See Practice Guidance)
6. Family Violence/Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence: This intake type
includes acts of violence in the presence of a child and may include information related to
a pattern of assault or coercive behaviors.(See Practice Guidance)
7. DHS Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T.): The C.A.R.T. is a multi-disciplinary
team authorized to investigate the abduction or endangerment of children in the State of
Georgia and is only activated upon the request of a Sheriff, Police Chief, the Attorney
General, the District Attorney or Designee. (See Practice Guidance)
8. Special Investigations which includes reports of abuse or neglect involving:
a. A child in DFCS custody;
b. A DFCS or Child Placing Agency (CPA) Foster Home or Adoptive Home;
c. An Approved Relative/Non-Relative Placement;
d. Residential facilities including Child Caring Institutions (CCIs), Youth Detention
Centers (YDC) or Regional Youth Detention Centers (RYDC);
e. Public or private non-residential schools;
f. Non-residential facilities including camps, day care settings or private residences that
provide less than full-time care for children under the age of 18 years outside their
own home.
9. Child Death/Near Fatality/Serious Injury (CDNFSI): This intake type is used for reports
involving a child death, near fatality, or serious injury that may or may not include
allegations of child abuse and or neglect.
NOTE: The DFCS representative of the Child Fatality Review Committee shall make an
immediate report to DFCS for each instance where the committee concludes that the
death was due to abuse or neglect, and the case had not been previously reported to
DFCS.
10. Policy Violations in placement resources for children in DFCS custody including,
DFCS and CPA Foster Homes, Approved Relative/Non-Relative Placements: This
intake type is used for violations of foster care policy and there are no allegations of child
abuse and neglect involving a placement resource for children in DFCS custody.
11. Requests for Immediate Short Term Emergency Care: Short Term Emergency Care
1

Affected means the infant as a result of the mothers use of a controlled substance or alcohol during pregnancy which
according to medical personnel results in the infant experiencing symptoms of withdrawal; or the presence of a controlled
substance or a metabolite thereof in an infants body, blood, urine or meconium that is not the result of medical treatment; or
medically diagnosed and harmful effects in the infants physical appearance or functioning otherwise known as prenatal abuse.

Page 4 of 30

situations occur as a result of an emergency or illness of a caregiver who has physical

and legal custody of a child and is unable to provide for the care and supervision of the
child; and such person or a law enforcement officer, emergency personnel employed by a
licensed ambulance provider, fire rescue personnel or a hospital administrator or
Designee requests emergency care for the child.
12. Safe Place for Newborns: This act allows a mother to leave her newborn child in the
physical care of a medical facility, agent or employee thereof who is on duty if the child is
no more than a week old and the mother shows proof of her identity including her name
and address, if available, to the person with whom the newborn is left.
13. Child Taken into Custody by a Physician (Terrell Peterson Act):This act gives a
physician, licensed to practice medicine in the state of Georgia who is treating a child the
authority to take or retain temporary protective custody of a child, without a court order
and without the consent of a parent, guardian or custodian, if:
a. The physician has reasonable cause to believe that the child is in a circumstance or
condition that presents an imminent danger to the childs life or health as a result of
suspected abuse or neglect; and
b. There is not sufficient time for a court order to be obtained for temporary custody of
the child before the child may be removed from the presence of the physician.
14. Voluntary Surrender of Parental Rights: This intake type only occurs when a parent
has properly executed the signing of a Voluntary Surrender of his or her parental rights to
a child.
15. Voluntary Placement: This intake type is utilized when the legal caregiver(s) properly
execute a voluntary agreement to place a child in DFCS custody.
16. Juvenile or Superior Court-No Maltreatment Alleged: These are situations in which
the Juvenile or Superior court requests the agency to conduct a home evaluation, welfare
check etc that does not include any other allegations of abuse or neglect.
17. Child Death-No Maltreatment Alleged: These intake reports include deaths that were
expected due to a known medical issue or ruled as accidental by the coroner and do not
include any allegations of child abuse or neglect.
18. Reports from the Juvenile Court when a complaint or a petition alleging a child is
in need of services (CHINS) is filed: These intakes indicate a child is in need of
services to be provided by DFCS.
19. Administrative Openings: These are cases that are administratively opened at the
directive of the State, Regional or County DFCS Administration as a result of case
reviews, staffings, etc., of a prior case and are unrelated to a new report of abuse or
neglect. Such reports shall be entered in Georgia SHINES using the report date of the
original intake report.
DFCS shall receive intake reports that do not include allegations of child abuse and neglect
when the following situations exist in order to generate the necessary stages in Georgia
SHINES:
1. Courtesy Interviews (CI): This intake type is used when another state is requesting an
interview of a child or other individual involved in an active CPS case.
NOTE: When a Georgia County Department requests contact/interview of a person by
another Georgia County Department on an active case, the DFCS staff person shall be
added as a secondary worker in Georgia SHINES in lieu of entering an intake report.
2. Information and Referrals: This intake type is used when calls are received from
individuals or organizations that do not include a report of abuse or neglect, and the caller

Page 5 of 30

3.
4.
5.

6.

is seeking information or requesting a referral to a community resource unrelated to child

abuse and neglect situations.
Interstate Compact (ICPC): This intake type is used by the ICPC unit to enter incoming
ICPC request 100 A into Georgia SHINES.
Post Adoption (PAD): This intake type is used when the child is adopted and a post
adoptive payment is needed or payment is authorized after the child is adopted.
Post Foster Care (PFC): This intake type is used when the child is receiving a subsidy
(relative care or guardianship); or when youth requests Extended Youth Support Services
for payment of placement and support services;
Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ): This intake type is used to document a child
who was previously in DFCS custody, exited to DJJ and is now returning to DFCS
custody without interruption.

PROCEDURES
Intake Assessment Process
The Intake Case Manager (ICM)) will follow a three stage information collection process;
Introduction, Exploration, and Closing 2 when gathering information from the reporter for
completion of the Intake Assessment (IA).
1. Introduction: During this stage, the ICM sets the tone for the remainder of the call by
initiating a dialogue with the reporter in a professional and courteous manner. During the
Introduction the ICM will:
a. Briefly explain the IA process and confidentiality to the reporter;
b. Inform the reporter that a copy of the intake report will be sent to local law
enforcement and that it may be necessary to appear in court if court action is
initiated to protect a child;
c. Allow the reporter to begin sharing his/her concerns by being courteous and
professional, allowing the reporter to speak without interruption if possible;
d. Respond with empathy to the reporter if he/she has emotional reactions to the
information being shared and redirect the reporter when necessary to ensure
pertinent information is gathered that is relevant to the familys functioning and
potential maltreatment/safety issues.
2. Exploration: This phase of the IA process is critical in determining what present danger
situations or impending danger safety threats may be indicated about a family. During the
Exploration phase, the ICM will assist the reporter by moving toward a more focused
interview approach in order to fill in any gaps in information gathered during the
Introduction stage. The ICM will:
a. Obtain the name, address, current location and date of birth of all alleged victim
children;
b. Obtain the name, address, current location and date of birth of all caregivers and
other household members (parents, grandparents, boyfriends, 3rd party caregivers,
etc.). The ICM should attempt to gather the names and demographics on both
mother(s) and father(s) regardless of whether or not the child(ren) reside with the
parent (s);
c. Ask the reporter if the child and/or parent/primary caregiver have/or is believed to
have any American Indian heritage.

ACTION for Child Protection Intake Assessment Instructional Guidelines and Practice Protocol

Page 6 of 30

d. Collect information on the following six areas of family functioning 3 (these

questions serve as a subject matter guide, and is not intended to be used verbatim
when engaging the reporter during the IA process).
i. Extent of Maltreatment: This information is concerned with the
facts and evidence that support the presence of maltreatment that comes from the
knowledge the reporter has about the family.
1. Type of maltreatment; (physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, etc.);
2. Severity of the maltreatment (results, injuries);
3. Maltreatment history (similar incidents, patterns, # of reports);
4. Description of the events (what happened);
5. Description of emotional and physical symptoms;
6. Identification of the alleged child victim and maltreater.
ii. Circumstances of the Maltreatment: The situation that led up to the alleged
maltreatment or that existed while the alleged maltreatment occurred and
includes:
1. How long has the maltreatment been occurring;
2. Whether an instrument was used;
3. Caregivers intent concerning the maltreatment and explanation of what
happened;
4. History and duration of the situation;
5. Conditions such as substance abuse, intimate partner/family violence, or
mental health issues.
iii. Child Functioning: Functioning is considered with respect to age
appropriateness compared to what is considered normal standards and includes:
1. Capacity to attach;
2. General mood and temperament;
3. Communication and social skills;
4. Expressions of emotions/feelings;
5. Behavior;
6. Peer relations;
7. School performance;
8. Independence;
9. Motor skills;
10. Physical and mental health.
iv. General Parenting: This area should focus on the following:
1. Overall parenting practices and what influences them;
2. History of parenting behavior;
3. Parent expectations and empathy for the child;
4. Protectiveness;
5. Reasons for being a parent and satisfaction in being a parent;
6. Cultural context for their parenting approach.
v. Discipline: Explore the following:
1. Purpose of discipline;
2. Cultural practices;
3. Disciplinary methods;
4. Condition of the caregiver when discipline occurs (impaired by substances,
etc.)
3

ACTION for Child Protection Intake Assessment Collection

Page 7 of 30

vi. Adult Functioning: This includes how the caregivers function personally and
presently in their everyday lives outside of being a parent and should explore:
1. Communication and social skills;
2. Coping and stress management;
3. Self-control;
4. Problem-solving;
5. Judgment and decision-making;
6. Independence;
7. Home and financial management;
8. Employment;
9. Rationality;
10. Mental health;
11. Substance use, abuse, addiction;
12. Physical health and capacity;
13. Functioning within cultural norms.
e. Review the information in each area of family functioning for gaps and ask clarifying
questions if necessary.
NOTE: Examples of information needing clarification would be statements such as a
caregiver seems depressed, often drinks alcohol, or seems aggressive. These
are vague descriptions that need a behavioral or observable context in order for the
ICM to qualify this information as a present danger or impending danger situation
during the decision making process. (See policy 4.3 Intake: Making and Intake
Decision)
3. Closing: During this final stage of the IA, the ICM should ensure that all essential
information has been collected from the reporter. At a minimum the information gathered
must include:
a. The reporters name, telephone number and address, relationship to child and family;
b. The demographic information of the family(names, ages, relationship of household
members, identification of caregiver(s), address;
c. Names of other persons including relatives who may have knowledge of the family;
d. Location of the child.
The ICM will:
1. Make sure that all gaps in information have been identified and noted;
2. If necessary, return to seeking necessary identifying information regarding the family;
3. Assure that all demographic and family composition information has been obtained;
4. Allow the reporter another opportunity to consider any remaining information that he or
she feels is important to share that may have not yet been revealed during the
exploratory stage of the interview;
5. Seek the reporters opinion regarding what he/she believes needs to happen in terms of
intervention;
6. Obtain any information regarding worker safety;
7. Begin to consider and establish CPS jurisdiction for the referral, acceptance for CPS, and
assignment for Investigations or Family Support Services based on allegations of
maltreatment and the indication of a present or impending danger;
8. Prior to the completion of the conversation with the reporter, consider the following:
a. Is there enough information to determine who is included in the family and where they
are right now?

Page 8 of 30

b. Does the information I have indicate the presence of child maltreatment?

c. Do I need to ask more questions about the children and any vulnerability?
d. Are there any other things I need to know in order to determine how the caregiver and
other family or household members function day to day?
e. Is there anything more that I need to clarify or know more about the family and their
current situation, condition, or dynamics? (Negative or Positive)
9. If the answer to any of the questions above is unclear, then the ICM should obtain more
information from the reporter prior to ending the call if possible;
10. When sufficient information has been obtained or it is clear that the reporter does not
possess any other information in regards to the family functioning and/or maltreatment
end the contact with the reporter and include the following:
a. Inform the reporter of the next steps in the intake process;
b. If a mandated reporter, ask if they would like notification (verbally or in writing) of the
findings if the report is assigned as an investigation.
NOTE: Document the mandated reporter request for the findings for reports assigned
as an investigation in Georgia SHINES, Additional Comments Section.
c. If the mandated reporter is school personnel, inform them that if the case is assigned
as an investigation, they will receive the findings of the investigation within five (5)
calendar days of the conclusion of the investigation.
d. Thank the reporter for contacting DFCS and end the call.
Upon ending the contact with the reporter, the ICM will:
1. Determine if the intake report contains the three (3) required components for an
allegation of abuse and/or neglect;
2. Thoroughly and clearly document the reported information in the narrative section of the
Intake Assessment and apply this information to each of the six areas of Family
Functioning in Georgia SHINES using the reporters words;
3. Conduct all required case participant screenings as outlined in policy 4.2 Intake:
Screening Case Participants;
4. Complete a thorough review and analysis of CPS history and document in Georgia
SHINES;
5. Review the information reported in each area of Family Functioning to evaluate indicators
of abuse and/or neglect and assign the appropriate corresponding maltreatment code (s);
(See Georgia Maltreatment Codes)
6. Review the information reported in each area of Family Functioning for the indication of
present or impending danger. Select the corresponding present or impending danger
under each applicable Family Functioning Area. (See Georgia Safety Threats) If the
Intake Assessment is determined to contain a present danger situation:
a. Immediately staff the IA with the SSS to confirm the existence of a present danger
situation;
b. If it is determined that a present danger situation exists contact the County
Department where the child resides by telephone and inform them of the need for an
immediate response;
c. Enter and assign the report in Georgia SHINES within two hours from the receipt of
the intake report. (See policy 4.3 Intake: Making an Intake Decision)
7. Document a recommendation of the track assignment in the Case Manager
Justification Section of the Intake Assessment; (See policy 4.3 Intake: Making an
Intake Decision)

Page 9 of 30

Law Enforcement Requests for Immediate Assistance

If law enforcement contacts the CICC requesting immediate assistance, the CICC will:
1. Obtain the reason the officer requires DFCS assistance and his/her contact information.
2. Immediately notify the County Department of law enforcements request.
3. Inform the officer that it may be necessary to contact him/her again to follow up on the
completion of the Intake Assessment.
4. If the officer is unavailable, follow up with the County Department to provide the
information needed for the completion and assignment of the Intake Assessment.
County Department Receipt of Intake Reports
1. When intake reports are received by Fax, Email or Mail the County Department will
immediately forward the correspondence to the CPS Intake Communication Center
(CICC) at CPSIntake@dhr.state.ga.us.
2. When a reporter calls the County Department to make a report, forward the reporter call
to the CICC line (1- 855-GA-CHILD); however the County Department may take the
Intake Report and relay the information to the CICC.
3. When a reporter comes directly to the County Department to make a CPS report:
a. Refer the reporting source to the CPS Intake Communication Center (CICC) line (1855-GA-CHILD) to take the report while in the County Office.
b. If the reporter prefers to make the Intake Report face to face, the County Department
will take the report and relay the information to the CICC for entry into Georgia
SHINES.
NOTE: When the County Department is taking the Intake Report if available, utilize a threeway call with the CICC in order to participate in the information gathering process with the
reporter.
CICC Receipts of Intake Reports by Fax, Email or Mail
When an intake report is received via fax, email or mail the Intake Case Manager (ICM) will:
1. Analyze the information contained in the correspondence to determine if the
correspondence contains the three (3) required components;
2. Contact the reporter by telephone to gather additional information.
3. If the correspondence does not contain the three (3) required components necessary to
constitute an intake report, contact the reporter immediately to gather the necessary
components for the intake report.
Intake Reports Received on Active Cases
When an intake report is received on a family that is currently being investigated, receiving
Family Support Services, Family Preservation Services or Permanency Services, the CICC will:
1. Assess the intake report to screen in or screen out; See policy 4.3 Intake: Making an
Intake Decision for specific criteria when determining when to screen in or screen out;
2. Immediately notify the Social Services Case Manager (SSCM) assigned to the active
case of the receipt of the intake report.
Distinct Types of Intake Reports
In addition to the six areas of family functioning, the Intake Case Manager (ICM) will
collect the following additional information regarding these distinct types of intake reports:
1. Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC):
a. What gives the reporter reason to suspect CSEC?

Page 10 of 30

b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.

Does the child have a boyfriend around five years of age or older than the child?
Does the child have money or expensive new belongings the child claims are gifts?
Does the child have tattoos on his/her chest neck or arms? Description of the tattoos.
Are the childs caregivers aware of the boyfriend, gifts, or tattoos?
Does the child have a history of runaway or truant behavior?
Does the child have a history of substance abuse, sexualized behavior, changes in
behavior or association with a different group of friends (possibly older)?
2. Substance Use/Abuse, Prenatal Exposure/Prenatal Abuse, and FASD:
a. Type of substance used, addicted to or abused.
b. Was the drug prescribed or non-prescribed to the mother?
c. What drugs were administered to the mother during labor and delivery?
d. If prescribed, is the level within normal limits of prescribed use?
e. What is the level of the substance in the caregivers and/or childs blood or urine?
f. Medical reports/test results, if applicable.
g. What is the frequency of use?
h. What were the location(s), the caregiver was using the substances?
i. Are there drugs (legal or illegal) in the home? If so, where are they located?
j. How the caregivers use, abuse, addiction impact his/her ability to protect a child and
to ensure the well-being needs of a child are being met.
k. Is the caregiver functioning appropriately despite substance use/abuse?
l. What is the caregivers plan to address the substance use, abuse or addiction
including plans to ensure the childs well-being?
m. Is there a relapse plan in place?
n. Has the caregiver ever experienced black outs?
o. Does the caregiver make impulsive decisions that place the children in unsafe
situations due to substance abuse addiction?
p. Is the caregiver currently intoxicated and unable to perform basic parental duties?
q. Is the caregiver functioning appropriately despite using substances?
r. Does the caregiver make impulsive decisions that place the children in unsafe
situations due to substance use/abuse?
s. Are the children aware of the substance abuse/use?
t. Do the children have access to the drugs?
u. Were the children present when/where the caregiver was using the substances?
v. How well are the children supervised? Are they left alone for extended period of time?
w. Medical diagnoses of the mother.
x. Behavioral description of withdrawal symptoms the infant may be experiencing related
to prenatal drug exposure or a diagnosis of a FASD.
y. A description of any facial abnormalities, growth deficiencies, skeletal deformities,
organ deformities, or central nervous system handicaps that may accompany a
diagnosis of a FASD.
z. Are there other children in the home, and if so, are they aware of the substance
abuse/use or impacted by the substance use, abuse or addiction?
3. Infants that are born alive in which there is suspected medical neglect, including
the withholding of medically indicated treatment from disabled infants with life
threatening conditions.
a. What is the specific disability diagnosis of the infant?
b. How the diagnosis impacts the infants prognosis?
c. Description of the medically indicated treatment needed for the infant?

Page 11 of 30

d. A description of the caregivers reason for withholding medically indicated treatment.

e. How quickly the medically indicated treatment needs to be initiated.
f. Has the treating physician taken custody of the infant based on O.C.G.A. 15-11-131
Temporary Protective Custody by Physician Without Court Order?
g. What coordination of efforts is needed between DFCS and the medical provider?
4. Unaccompanied Homeless Youth:
a. What is the reason for the homelessness?
b. Does the youth have access to parental care and supervision?
c. Location of caregiver(s) and attempts to engage caregiver(s) in their parental
responsibilities.
d. Youths current access to services including health care and education.
e. Who are other persons that may be providing support to the youth?
f. How long has the youth been without parental care and supervision?
g. Have the caregivers been engaged looking for the child?
h. Does the youth have any emotional, psychological/psychiatric, or cognitive
limitations?
i. Does the youth have a history of trauma that has impacted family relationships?
j. Are there any substance abuse issues involving the youth?
5. Family Violence/Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence:
a. Has the violence changed or increased over time?
b. How often does violence occur?
c. What are any recent injuries or accidents?
d. If police were involved, what happened?
e. Describe the childrens behavior during the violence and how the children are affected
emotionally, behaviorally or physically.
f. Where are the children when the violence occurs?
g. Were there any threats to hurt or kill the family members or pets?
h. Describe any weapons used to threaten or harm someone in the family.
i. Describe the circumstances if a family member has been stalked or taken hostage.
j. Describe the circumstances if the alleged maltreater threatened to leave with the
children.
k. Describe the family members substance abuse, substance use or addiction.
l. Describe the effects the violence has on the children.
m. How are the children being protected now? Who is protecting the children?
n. Describe contacts the alleged adult victim has with family or community members.
o. What assistance has the adult victim tried to access?
p. Describe any assistance that has been provided by individuals or service providers.
q. Are there other sources of information on the alleged maltreater such as:
i.Police reports
ii.Temporary Protective Orders
iii.Restraining order and stalking order filings
iv.Previous Child Protective Services allegations
v.Probation and/or parole involvement
6. DHS Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T.): The CPS Intake Communication
Center (CICC) will be the primary point of contact to initiate a request for DFCS support
on a C.A.R.T situation. When directed by the designated DFCS state office
representative the CICC ICM will:
a. Immediately notify the Social Services Supervisor;

Page 12 of 30

b. Enter the intake report in Georgia SHINES denoting the C.A.R.T. has been activated,
specifying who directed the C.A.R.T. intake report to be initiated;
c. Stage progress the intake to an investigation stage in Georgia SHINES and assign
the investigation to the appropriate County Department.
d. If contacted directly concerning a C.A.R.T., the County Department will contact the
CPS Intake Communication Center (CICC) to relay intake report information.
NOTE: The Field Assessment and Support Team (FAST) serves as the DFCS
Designee who will provide DFCS information to the C.A.R.T. A FAST member may
contact any local DFCS County office to obtain information about the family involved in a
C.A.R.T. A family involved in a C.A.R.T. case may not necessarily come to the attention
of the local DFCS office or require DFCS intervention.
7. Special Investigations: When the CPS Intake Communication Center (CICC) receives a
report that meets the criteria to be classified as a special investigation:
a. In addition to completing the intake information gathering process, determine the
following:
i. If the report involves a child in the custody of DFCS;
ii. If the report involves a DFCS agent: A DFCS Foster or Adoptive Parent, Child
Placing Agency Foster or Adoptive Parent, Approved Relative/Non-Relative
Placement Provider, or Employee of a Child Caring Institution.
iii. If the report contain allegations pertaining to a child death, near fatality or
serious injury; 4
iv. If the report involves the foster, adoptive or relative placement biological or
adopted child;
v. If the report involves a child in a CCI that is not in the custody of DFCS.
b. If the report is determined to involve a DFCS agent, and a child in the custody of
DFCS classify the intake report as Maltreatment in Care (MIC) in the intake report by
selecting from the Special Investigations drop down box on the intake information
page, Maltreatment in Care (Not Child Death/Near Fatality, or Serious Injury). (See
Georgia SHINES Special Investigations Training - User Guide)
c. If the report does not involve a DFCS agent and the child is not in DFCS custody,
proceed with classifying the intake report as a special investigation call type, not
MIC by selecting from the Special Investigations drop down box on the intake
information page, Maltreatment Not in Care (Facility, Military Base, School) Not
Child Death/Near Fatality or Serious Injury
8. Child Death, Near Fatality, Serious Injury Reports: When allegations are received that
pertain to a child death, serious injury or near fatality, determine if the report involves a
child in the custody of DFCS and the care of a DFCS agent to determine if the intake
report should be classified as a MIC Intake report. Upon making this determination, the
ICM will select from the Special Investigations drop down box on the Intake Information
page:
a. Child Death-In Care
b. Child Death-Not in Care
c. Near Fatality (In Care)
4 Near Fatality means as an act that, as certified by a physician, places the child in serious or critical condition in accordance with CAPTA
regulations. Once the child meets this criterion then the allegation of near fatality should be marked along with any other type(s) of
maltreatment.
Serious Injury means an injury such as a bodily injury that involves substantial risk of death, extreme physical pain, disfigurement or
prolonged loss or impairment of the function of a body part, organ, or mental capability. Examples include burns, head trauma, blunt trauma,
internal bleeding, multiple bruising and contusions, lacerations of organs, broken bones and amputation.

Page 13 of 30

d. Near Fatality (Not in Care)

e. Serious Injury (In Care)
f. Serious Injury (Not in Care)
If the intake report is received as a result of a review by the Child Fatality Review
Committee and was not previously reported to DFCS, assess the report for the following:
a. If the death occurred within six (6) months or less of the intake report date, assign
the intake report per policy 4.3 Intake: Making an Intake Decision;
b. If the death occurred more than 6 months before the intake date, the CICC will
conduct a regional staffing to include the Regional Director/Designee, County Director
and designated Field Program Specialist to determine if the report should be
screened in or screened out. Document the staffing results in Contact/Summaries in
the Intake stage.
c. If the death occurred more than 6 months before the intake date and a decision is
made to screen out the intake report, documentation must be completed in the
Georgia SHINES Intake stage Contact/Summaries detailing the circumstances of the
death and information to support the decision to screen out. Documents may include,
but are not limited to the following: medical records, incident reports, police reports
and emergency medical services (EMS) reports. (See Child Fatality Review
Committee Practice Guidance)
9. Policy Violations: When allegations are received regarding violations of policy involving
a placement resource for a child in DFCS custody, the ICM will complete the intake
information gathering process to rule out the existence of allegations of abuse and
neglect. (See policy 4.3 Intake: Making an Intake Decision)
10. Requests for Immediate Short Term Emergency Care (Emergency Care and
Supervision of Child Without a Court Order): The ICM will complete the intake
information gathering process to ensure there are no allegations of abuse and neglect.
Short Term Emergency Care situations are only appropriate when the child is not at
imminent risk of maltreatment, other than the risks arising from being without a caregiver.
When Short Term Emergency Care is deemed appropriate, the ICM will:
a. Input the notification as an Intake Assessment in Georgia SHINES using the Georgia
SHINES Procedures for Safe Place for Newborns-Short Term Emergency Intakes and
Investigations in Forms/Tools;
b. Select the Short Term Emergency Care special circumstances call type on the Intake
Information page;
c. Recommend the Intake Assessment be assigned to investigations. (See the Georgia
SHINES Recording Safe Place for Newborns-Short-Term Emergency Care Intakes
Job Aide)
11. Safe Place for Newborns: In order to meet the criteria for a Safe Place for Newborns
confirm the following:
a. The newborn may not be more than one week old.
b. The newborn must be left in the physical custody of an on-duty employee, agent or
member of the staff of a medical facility. The staff member may be paid or hold a
volunteer position.
c. The medical facility may be any licensed general or specialized hospital, institutional
infirmary, health center operated by the County board of health or facility where
human births occur on a regular and ongoing basis. A medical facility does not
include the private office of a physician or a dentist.

Page 14 of 30

d. The mother is required to provide her name and address to the person and if
available proof of identity to the person receiving the child.
If these criteria are met, the ICM will:
a. Input the notification as an Intake Assessment in Georgia SHINES using procedures
outlined in Georgia SHINES Recording Safe Place for Newborns-Short-Term
Emergency Care Intakes.
b. Select the Safe Place for Newborns special circumstances call type on the Intake
Information page;
c. Recommend the Intake Assessment be assigned to investigations.
12. Terrell Peterson Act-Child Taken into Custody by a Physician (Temporary
Protective Custody by Physician Without Court Order and Without Parental
Consent): When a child is taken into custody by a physician, the ICM will:
a. Input the notification as an Intake Assessment in Georgia SHINES using the Georgia
SHINES Job Aide for entering Special Circumstances;
b. Select the Physician Taking Child into Custody call type on the Intake Information
page;
c. Use the Georgia Maltreatment Code that accurately reflects the information reported;
d. Recommend the Intake Assessment be assigned to Investigations.
13. Voluntary Surrender of Parental Rights: This is selected when a Voluntary Surrender
of parental rights is properly executed. (See policy 3.12 Legal: Voluntary Surrender of
Parental Rights) The ICM will:
a. Input the Intake Assessment in Georgia SHINES using the Georgia SHINES Job Aide
for entering Special Circumstances;
b. Select the Voluntary Surrender special circumstances call type on the Intake
Information page.
14. Voluntary Placement: This is selected when a Voluntary Agreement to Place Child in
Foster Care is executed by both legal caregivers. The ICM will:
a. Input the Intake Assessment in Georgia SHINES using the Georgia SHINES Job Aide
for entering Special Circumstances;
b. Select the Voluntary Placement special circumstances call type on the Intake
Information page.
15. Juvenile Court or Superior Court-No Maltreatment Alleged: This intake type is used
when the court orders the Department to conduct an investigation or welfare check that
does not contain an allegation of abuse or neglect. The ICM will:
a. Obtain as much information as possible related to the six areas of family functioning
that may be relevant to the information the court requires;
b. Request a copy of the court order and upload the order into Georgia SHINES external
documentation;
c. Input the Intake Assessment in Georgia SHINES using the Georgia SHINES Job Aide
for entering Special Circumstances and select Juvenile Court, No Maltreatment
Alleged using the special circumstances drop down menu and note in the comments
if the case was received from the Superior Court.
16. Child Death/Near Fatality/Serious Injury (CD/NF/SI)-No Maltreatment Alleged: This is
selected when an intake report of a child death is received and the Intake Assessment
does not contain any allegations of abuse or neglect. The ICM will:
a. Input the Intake Assessment in Georgia SHINES using the Georgia SHINES Job Aide
for entering Special Circumstances;

Page 15 of 30

b. Using the special circumstances drop down menu select CD/NF/SI-No Maltreatment
Alleged on the Intake Information page;
c. Recommend the case be screened out;
d. Notify the County Director/Designee immediately of the intake report regardless if
child abuse or neglect is alleged/not alleged or if the report is screened in or screened
out.
e. The County Department will then complete, approve and submit the CD/NF/SI
report to cdsi@dhr.state.ga.us within 24 hours of the receipt of the intake on all
CD/NF/SI reports.
17. Child in Need of Services (CHINS): When an intake report is received from the Juvenile
Court reporting that a complaint or a petition has been filed concerning a child that has
been identified by the court to be in need of services and has no other allegations of child
abuse or neglect accompanying the CHINS report the ICM will:
a. Obtain the following information from the reporter regarding the CHINS and document
in the Intake Assessment:
i.
Describe who filed the complaint or petition and the circumstances.
ii.
Has any court hearings been held (continued custody, adjudicatory, disposition?
Obtain dates and findings.
iii.
Who has custody of the child/youth?
iv.
If the child has been placed, obtain the placement details?
v.
What efforts has the caregiver made to address the issues/ ensure safety?
vi.
Has a detention assessment been completed and what were the
recommendations?
vii.
What is the extent of the caregivers participation in services for their child?
viii.
Has the child/youth been ruled unrestorably incompetent? If so has a
comprehensive plan been developed and a plan manager assigned?
ix.
What is the child/youths diagnosis, if any?
x.
Is the child suspected or eligible for services under the federal Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973?
xi.
What are the child/youths educational needs?
xii.
What efforts have been made by the school system to resolve the school
problem?
xiii.
Is there any indication of family violence/intimate partner violence?
xiv.
What is the current location of the child/youth?
xv.
Describe any services that were provided and the reasons for why the services
were not successful.
xvi.
Describe the child/youths history with juvenile court and the Department of
Juvenile Justice including any current charges.
b. Input the Intake Assessment in Georgia SHINES using the Georgia SHINES Job Aide
for entering Special Circumstances and select CHINS- No Maltreatment Alleged using
the special circumstances drop down menu.
18. Administrative Openings: This intake type will occur only upon the directive of State,
Regional or County Administration to reopen a case. In these situations, the ICM will:
a. Complete the Intake Assessment and include all pertinent information including the
alleged maltreatment and the Georgia SHINES Case ID number from the original
case;
b. Document a statement in the Extent of Maltreatment Area in the IA indicating the
reason for the administrative decision to re-open the case and;

Page 16 of 30

c. The name of the person who made the administrative decision to re-open the case.
NOTE: This process is not applicable to the second level review process outlined in
the policy 4.3 Intake: Making an Intake Decision.
Intake Reports that do not involve an allegation of child abuse and neglect that require
the entry of an intake report in Georgia SHINES: (See the Georgia SHINES Job Aide for
entering Non-Incident Intakes in Georgia SHINES Help)
The CICC will be responsible for entering the following situations:
1. Courtesy Interviews: When a request is received from another state for a Courtesy
Interview, the ICM will:
a. Gather all pertinent information from the requesting state regarding the individual(s)
requested to be interviewed including a current location;
b. Document the information by selecting Courtesy Interview under the Non-Incident
Requests call type on the Intake Information page;
c. Request any accompanying documentation the requesting state has that is relevant to
the CI request be forwarded immediately and upload into external documentation;
d. Submit the Courtesy Interview request to the CICC Social Services Supervisor for
approval.
NOTE: When there is a request from within Georgia to interview an individual, County
A (requesting County) will add County B SSCM as a secondary worker in Georgia
SHINES in order to complete the documentation.
The CICC Social Services Supervisor will:
a. Review the Courtesy Interview request to ensure the information the requesting state
has provided is clear as to what specific information is required and a location of the
subject to be interviewed;
b. Approve the Courtesy Interview request and assign to the appropriate County
Department Social Services Supervisors workload in Georgia SHINES.
2. Information and Referrals (I&R): If a persons intent when contacting the agency is to
solicit information about agency services or community resources the CICC ICM will:
a. Provide the information requested;
b. Document the Intake Case Managers activities on the Intake report by selecting
the Information and Referral non-incident request form on the Intake Information
page;
c. If the family has an active case the CICC will notify the County Department
managing the case;
d. Submit the I&R to the Social Services Supervisor for approval.
The CICC Social Services Supervisor will:
a. Review the I&R intake form to ensure that there are no allegations of maltreatment;
b. Ensure that the requested information was provided to the caller;
c. Approve the I&R intake report in Georgia SHINES and submit for secondary approval
to the CICC administrator on duty for concurrence;
d. Provide direct feedback to the ICM if the I&R intake report is rejected due to
allegations of maltreatment noted and ensure that a call back is completed
with the reporter immediately to initiate a full Intake Assessment.

Page 17 of 30

The County Department will be responsible for entering the following situations:
1. Interstate Compact (ICPC): This intake type is used by the ICPC unit to enter incoming
ICPC request 100 A into Georgia SHINES.
2. Post Adoption (PAD): This intake type is used when the PAD stage is not automatically
created when the child is adopted and a post adoptive payment is needed or payment is
authorized after the child is adopted and the case is closed in Georgia SHINES.
3. Post Foster Care (PFC): This intake type is used when the PFC stage is not
automatically created when the permanency case is closed and the child is receiving a
subsidy (relative care or guardianship); or when youth requests Extended Youth Support
Services for payment of placement and support services.
4. Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ): This intake type is used to document a child
who was previously in DFCS custody, exited to DJJ and is now returning to DFCS
custody without interruption.
NOTE: If the child has exited DFCS and/or DJJ custody and there has been any amount
of time in which the child was back in the legal custody of their caregiver, then a new
intake assessment and stage progression to investigations must occur.
PRACTICE GUIDANCE
Administrative Opening of Cases
An administrative opening may occur when a case is reviewed by State Office, Regional, or
County DFCS Administration and gaps in policy or practice are identified that may affect child
safety. When a directive is received from the State Office, Regional, or County DFCS
Administrator to administratively open a case the original report date should be utilized.
NOTE: The criteria for an administrative opening are not related to a new report of child
maltreatment or as a result of a second level screen out review. If there has been a new
occurrence, or a new report is received on a family, a new intake report and assessment is
required. If a screen out is overturned resulting from case review, a new intake report is required
for assignment to Family Support or Investigations.
CAPTA and the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act of 2002
This act requires that agencies respond to reports of medical neglect including the withholding of
medically indicated treatment from disabled infants with life-threatening conditions, and applies
to born-alive infants. The Act requires the following:
1. Coordination and consultation with individuals designated by and within healthcare
facilities with regard to responding to medical neglect;
2. Prompt notification to CPS by the individuals designated within healthcare facilities of
cases of suspected medical neglect;
3. At a minimum, DFCS will pursue any legal remedies as may be necessary to provide
medical care or treatment for a child when such care or treatment is necessary to prevent
or remedy serious harm to the child;
NOTE: The Act gives DFCS the authority to pursue any legal remedies that may be
necessary to prevent the withholding of medically indicated treatment from
disabled infants with life threatening conditions.
NOTE: Born-alive means the complete expulsion or extraction, at any stage of
development, of a member of the homo-sapiens species from his or her mother who
regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut, or whether the expulsion
or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section or

Page 18 of 30

induced abortion after such expulsion or extraction, possesses life.

Caregiver Protective Capacities means behavioral, cognitive and emotional characteristics
that can specifically and directly be associated with a persons ability to care for and keep a child
safe.
Child Abduction Response Team
The Child Abduction Response Team (C.A.R.T.) is a multi-disciplinary team authorized to
investigate the abduction or endangerment of children in the State of Georgia upon the request
of a sheriff, police chief, the Attorney General, the District Attorney or Designee, and with the
approval of the C.A.R.T. Coordinator and Inspector General. The C.A.R.T. is a response
combining the resources of nine different state agencies (sworn and non-sworn) to provide an
immediate and efficient response to a child abduction or an otherwise missing endangered child.
Each member agency is trained in different areas of expertise to be utilized upon activation of
the C.A.R.T. DHS-DFCS serves in a support role. The participating agencies are:
1. Georgia Bureau of Investigation
2. Georgia Department of Public Safety
3. Georgia Department of Natural Resources
4. Georgia Department of Human Services
5. Georgia Emergency Management Agency
6. Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice
7. Georgia Department of Pardons and Paroles
8. Georgia Department of Corrections
9. Georgia Department of Transportation
The criteria to activate C.A.R.T. are as follows:
1. The true (non-family) abduction of a minor child (under the age of 18);
2. The abduction of a minor child (under the age of 18) with endangerment circumstances.
3. Any other abduction or missing child investigation that requires immediate response in
order to protect the well-being of the child.
NOTE: Upon the request from the local law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction, confirm
that the activation criterion has been met and a C.A.R.T response is necessary.
Child Fatality Review Committees
In accordance with O.C.G.A. 19-15-3, each county shall participate as a member of the local
multidisciplinary Child Fatality Review Committee that will review all deaths of children ages birth
through age 17 years as a result of:
1. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome;
2. Any unexpected or unexplained conditions;
3. Unintentional injuries;
4. Intentional injuries;
5. Sudden death when the child is in apparent good health;
6. Any manner that is suspicious or unusual;
7. Medical conditions when unattended by a physician;
8. Serving as an inmate of a state hospital or state, county or city penal institution.
County Departments must designate a representative to serve on the local Child Fatality
Review Committee based on the Countys Child Abuse Protocol and Child Fatality Review
Committee requirements. County Directors or their designee should actively engage with

Page 19 of 30

committee members and participate in the meetings of the local Child Fatality Review
Committee (CFRC). (See policy 1.10 Administration: Child Fatality Review)
Children in Need of Services (CHINS) are:
1. A child adjudicated to be in need of care, guidance, counseling, structure, supervision,
treatment, or rehabilitation and who is adjudicated to be:
a. Subject to compulsory school attendance and who is habitually and without good and
sufficient cause truant (having ten or more days unexcused absences in the current
academic year) from school;
b. Habitually disobedient of the reasonable and lawful commands of his or her parent,
guardian or legal custodian and is ungovernable or places himself or herself or others
in unsafe circumstances;
c. A runaway defined as a child who without just cause and without the consent of his or
her parent, guardian, or legal custodian is absent from his or her home or place of
abode for at least 24 hours.
d. A child who has committed a status offense applicable only to a child;
NOTE: A status offense means an act prohibited by law, which would not be an offense if
committed by an adult.
e. A child who wanders or loiters about the streets of any city or in or about any highway
or any public place between the hours of 12:00 Midnight and 5:00 A.M.;
f. A child who disobeys the terms of supervision contained in a court order which has
been directed to such child who has been adjudicated a child in need of services; or
g. A child who patronizes any bar where alcoholic beverages are being sold
unaccompanied by his or her parent, guardian or legal custodian or who possesses
alcoholic beverages; or
2. A child who has committed a delinquent act and is adjudicated to be in need of
supervision but not in need of treatment or rehabilitation.
Community Resource Directory
Each County Department should maintain and update at least annually a directory of services
available within the community, County, and if needed, within commuting distance of the County
office. Resource directories developed by other community groups (United Way, Chamber of
Commerce, Family Connections, advocacy groups, etc.) may be incorporated into the agencys
community resource directory. Minimally, the resource directory should contain the following:
1. Food pantries and sources of free, nutritious meals;
2. Housing (public housing and Section 8);
3. Emergency assistance with financial needs (rent, utility bills, etc.);
4. No or low cost medical care (Health Department, Babies Cant Wait, Hospitals, etc.);
5. Employment assistance (Goodwill, Department of Labor, etc.);
6. Transportation;
7. Childcare (Headstart, Pre-k, CAPS, etc.);
8. Education (public school and GED programs, technical schools, etc.);
9. Mental and behavioral health services;
10. Substance abuse treatment;
11. Legal assistance (public defender, Georgia Legal Services, etc.);
12. Services for the elderly (Department of Aging, community ombudsman, grandparents
raising grandchildren, etc.);
13. Support groups (Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Medical

Page 20 of 30

related groups, groups for children/adults with disabilities, etc.);

14. Foreign Embassy/Consulate contact information;
15. Tribal information related contact information;
16. Limited English Proficient Sensory Impaired Client Services (LEP/SI)
NOTE: Resource Maintainers shall have the responsibility of updating and maintaining
community resources (paid and non-paid) in Georgia SHINES.
Impending Danger Safety Threats 5 refers to a circumstance within a family that can be
reasonably anticipated, that is in some sort of progressive existence. It is associated with a child
living or being in a state of danger or a position of continual danger. Danger may not exist at a
particular moment or be an immediate concern (like in present danger), but a state of danger
exists. Impending danger is not necessarily active in the sense that a child might be hurt
immediately like with present danger, but given what we learn about a family that we can expect
severe harm as a reasonable eventuality.
Intake Interview Skills 6
The Intake interview is predominately focused on information gathering and problem
identification. The Intake Case Manager (ICM) is assisting the reporter to provide information
and at the same time identifying and interpreting possible maltreatment, present danger
situations, and impending danger safety threats. In order to gather the most information
possible, the ICM must be able to use critical thinking skills to formulate logical questions based
on the information the reporter is communicating. There are seven types of interviewing skills
that can be used during an interview that will assist the ICM in gathering relevant information
related to child maltreatment and the indication of present danger situations or impending
danger safety threats. (See Intake Introduction Script)
1. Open Ended Questions: These questions allow the reporter to expand on a previous
question or topic, and do not lend themselves to a "yes" or "no" answer.
Example: What happened?
2 . Closed Ended Questions: These questions are used to ask for specific information and
can generally be answered with a "yes" or "no."
Example: Have you seen the child with bruises before?
3. Reflective Listening: This technique essentially involves making a guess as to what
the reporter means or is trying to communicate. The first step in reflective listening is to
think reflectively. You do not necessarily know what people mean, so you have to
reflect on what they must mean and make a reasonable guess. Reflective listening
statements can be as simple as repeating a word or two in order to keep the reporter
talking. It can be helpful to reflect how the reporter seems to be feeling as he or she
speaks.
Example: So what you are saying is you are angry, or you are frustrated because
4. Suppressing and Refocusing: This technique is used to stop non-productive content or
feeling in an interview and to redirect the reporter to more appropriate topics. This
technique should be used very selectively and only when the interviewer is certain that
the content is not relevant to the report. To use this technique, acknowledge what
the reporter has said and then say, for example, "I would like to talk with you now
about what you actually saw happen to Susan. Tell me when you observed this."This
skill is also helpful when a reporter is off topic, rambling, or repeating the same
5
6

ACTION for Child Protection-The Conceptual Framework for Impending Danger; Concepts and Definitions
ACTION for Child Protection Intake Assessment Collection

Page 21 of 30

content. It is applied by redirecting the conversation to the topic that the interviewer
wants to gather information on while acknowledging what the reporter has said.
Example: I recall you saying that Mr. SimpsonNow I would like you to tell me about
the older child in the home. What was his nameoh David Tell me about him.
5 . Probing: This skill is essential to collecting sufficient information and is applied by
starting with open-ended questions. As the reporter provides information, the ICM will
continue to move toward more detail with more closed ended questions, such as
when, how often, when was the last time, etc.
Examples: Tell me about what happened. Tell me what you know about the family.
What about Mom? Tell me about Dad. Does he seem to get angry often? How often
have you noticed these angry outbursts? When was the first time? When did you most
recently notice him being angry with the little boy?
6. Affirming: Affirming is done in the form of selective statements of appreciation and
understanding. This technique helps to demonstrate empathy. Affirming can send the
message that the ICM recognizes that the reporter has a perspective and understands
what the reporters perspective is. Affirming is also used to send a message that
the ICM acknowledges a reporters right to feel a certain way.
Example: I understand that it must be frustrating for you when you feel like you are not
being heard.
7. Summarizing: This skill can be used to change topics with a reporter or to wrap up the
call during the closing phase. The ICM will connect and draw conclusions regarding
material and information that was discussed and reinforces what was said during the
call. This technique will enable the ICM to prepare the reporter to move along to another
topic or to close out the call. The ICM should offer an overall summary at the end of the
call, including any steps the reporter agreed to take (e.g., contact collaterals, advise
family of a service, etc.).
Example: So, Ms. X, you have called today to express concern about Jimmy not
receiving enough food due to Mom having insufficient income. Jimmy is in generally
good health. We agreed that you would take Mom to Little Sisters Food Center to
show her how to access food there. You also offered to take her there whenever she
may need to go.
Intake Reports Across County Lines
When allegations of abuse or neglect are reported regarding a child in County A and it is
determined the child is a resident of County B, County A must notify County B of the intake
report and both counties will coordinate case management activities including identifying which
County will have the responsibility to make the face-to-face contact with the child to ensure child
safety. When an immediate response is deemed necessary, County A will be responsible for
making face-to-face contact with the child in order to assess safety. Some examples are:
1. Intake report received from law enforcement in County A, requesting an immediate
response to a home or the allegations indicate an immediate response is needed. The
address given for the children indicate they are residents of County B and are visiting in
County A. County A should provide the immediate response.
2. Intake report received from law enforcement in County A that indicates the children are
being taken into protective custody and needs to be placed into foster care in County A.
The legal residence of the children is County B. County A should complete the immediate
case management activities that are required, including the assessment for child safety.
Both counties should coordinate all other activities. County B should make every effort to

Page 22 of 30

attend the preliminary protective hearing in County A. A transfer of court jurisdiction should
occur to County B.
NOTE: When it is determined that an intake report made to County A should have been made to
County B, reassign the Intake Assessment in Georgia SHINES to County B immediately. County
A should notify County B by telephone when this circumstance exists. Use of email may be
appropriate; however, it is the responsibility of County A to ensure that County B is aware of the
Intake Assessment assignment. The reassignment of the Intake Assessment in Georgia
SHINES does not change the original response time assigned to ensure child safety.
Intake Reports Opened in Error
If a user accidentally opens an intake report in Georgia SHINES by clicking the red phone icon,
but has not saved and submitted the intake report, then the intake may be marked as opened in
error by completing the following steps:
1. After clicking the Red Phone icon in error, select the Non-Incident Request type
drop down box on the Intake Information page.
2. Select Opened in Error from the drop-down list.
3. Click the Save and Close button.
The ICM will be able to complete the opened in error actions as long as the intake has not
yet been saved and submitted to the SSS and as long as there are no allegations,
disposition, or safety threats entered in the IA.
If the SSS receives an Intake Assessment that has been saved and submitted to them in
error, then the SSS may also mark the IA as Opened in Error by editing the information in
the disposition drop-down box on the Intake Actions page by completing the following steps:
1. Upon receipt of the IA for approval on the SSS task list, click on the hyperlink of the
task to take you to the Intake Actions page.
2. Scroll down to the response time section of the intake actions page.
3. Click the disposition drop-down box.
4. Select opened in error from the drop-down list.
5. Click the Save button and the Intake Actions page re-displays.
6. Click the Approval Status button and complete the approval process.
NOTE: If allegations of maltreatment or a present danger situation or impending danger
safety threat were selected by the ICM during the IA process, this will require the SSS to
return to the applicable section of the IA to unselect this information and document in the
Supervisor Justification section the reason the information was edited prior to approving
the intake report for closure.
Present Danger Situations 7 are defined as immediate, significant and clearly observable
threats to a child occurring in the present that, if allowed to continue without intervention, could
result in severe harm. (See policy 4.3 Intake: Making an Intake Decision)
Policy Violations
Policy Violations are actions performed by a placement resource (including DFCS or CPA
Family Foster Home, Relative/Non-Relative Placement, or CCI), that may breach any DHS
safety and quality standard, but do not constitute abuse or neglect. Policy violations generally
fall into two categories1) Discipline or Serious and 2) low risk.
7

ACTION for Child Protection-The Intake Priority Response Decision, September 2009

Page 23 of 30

Discipline or Serious policy violations include but are not limited to, inappropriate disciplinary
measures (both physical/corporal and emotional), violations of supervision, etc.
Low risk policy violations include but are not limited to the following or similar infractions:
1. Lack of required annual Continued Parent Development (CPD) hours;
2. Inappropriate utilization of an approved home (see Safety and Quality Standards);
3. Lack of cooperation in assuming a partnership role with the agency in meeting the
needs of the child;
4. Inappropriate disclosure of confidential information regarding the child;
5. Inappropriate use of acceptable disciplinary practices (e.g., extended periods of time
out, etc.);
6. Inappropriate assignment of chores or work responsibilities.
While policy violations are less severe than an allegation of abuse or neglect, they may be
sufficient grounds for closing a placement resource (DFCS foster and/or adoptive home or
approved relative caregiver); or, for the discontinuation of use for placement of a child in the
custody of DFCS (CPA or CCI).
Reports of Juvenile Drug Use
Persons that have reasonable cause to believe that a child is habitually using in an unlawful
manner any controlled substance or marijuana, as defined by Georgia law is encouraged to
report such information to the childs caregiver and to DFCS. If the person exercising loco
parentis control over the child is a member of any school, social agency or similar facility, the
person in charge shall make the report. DFCS shall receive the information as an intake report
then subsequently Screen Out and Refer to Juvenile Court if there are no allegations that
accompany the report of juvenile drug use that are indicative of abuse or neglect by the
caregiver.
Reports Involving Alleged Maltreaters who are not a Caregiver or Person Responsible for
the Care of a Child
If the allegations are regarding a maltreater who is not a caregiver or a Person Responsible for
the Care of a Child, the report should not be automatically screened-out without attempts to
gather information about a caregivers knowledge, willingness, and ability to protect the child
from the alleged maltreater. When a third party is identified as an alleged maltreater, attempts
must be made to gather and analyze information regarding the caregivers knowledge of the
alleged abuse or neglect and the caregivers level of protection of the child during the alleged
abuse or neglect or afterwards. If it becomes apparent during the Intake Assessment that the
childs caregiver was not negligent, nor involved in any form of abuse and the third party
maltreater is not a caregiver of the child, then DFCS will screen out these IAs and refer the case
to law enforcement. Persons not considered third parties are:
1. Foster parents;
2. Non-custodial parent living outside of the home;
3. School or childcare personnel acting in a caregiver role.
Rights and Duties of Legal Custodian
A legal custodian is a person who has been given legal custody of a child by order of a court; or
may be classified as a public or private agency, or other private organization licensed or

Page 24 of 30

otherwise authorized by law to receive and provide care for a child. The legal custodian has the
right to physical custody of a child, the right to determine the nature of the care and treatment of
such child, including ordinary medical care and the right and duty to provide for the care,
protection, training and education and the physical, mental and moral welfare of such child,
subject to the conditions and limitations of the order and to the remaining rights and duties of
such childs parent or guardian.
Case Name Descriptors
1. Place in the name of the caregiver.
2. Place in the name of minor mom when minor mom is the alleged maltreater of her child
and there is no indication that minor moms caregiver is an alleged maltreater of either
minor mom or minor moms child.
3. Place in the name of each primary caregiver or legal custodian when allegations of
maltreatment are received regarding multiple families living in the same residence.
4. Place in the name of the caregiver from whom the child was removed when allegations of
maltreatment are received that occurred prior to a child entering foster care.
5. Place in the name of each legal caregiver when it is determined the same alleged
maltreater has abused or neglected multiple child victims.
Case Name Descriptors: Special Investigations
For reports on children in DFCS custody
1. Place in the name of the foster or adoptive or relative caregiver when one of these DFCS
agents or another member of their household is identified as the alleged maltreater.
2. Place in the name of the caregiver from whom the child was removed when the alleged
maltreater is identified as CCI staff, school personnel, day care facility staff, camp staff,
YDC/RYDC or other facility staff.
3. Place in the name of minor mom when the minor mom is identified as the alleged
maltreater regarding her child who is in foster care.
4. Place in the name of the caregiver from whom the child was removed when allegations of
maltreatment are received regarding a child in DFCS custody and the alleged
maltreatment occurred during a trial home visit or visitation.
5. For reports involving biological or adoptive children of placement resources, place in the
name of the foster/adoptive home or relative/non-relative caregiver when the alleged
victim is a biological or adoptive child of the foster/adoptive home or relative/non-relative
caregiver.
6. For reports involving residential facilities when children are not in DFCS custody, place in
the name of the caregiver who has legal custody of the child.
7. For reports involving public or private non-residential schools
a. Place in the name of the caregiver who has legal custody of the child if the child is not
in DFCS custody.
b. Place in the name of the caregiver from whom the child was removed for children in
DFCS custody.
8. For reports involving non-residential facilities including RBWO providers such as CCIs,
facilities, camps, day care settings or private residences that provide less than full-time
care for children less than 18 years of age outside their own home
a. Place in the name of the caregiver who has legal custody of the child if the child is not
in DFCS custody.
b. Place in the name of the caregiver from whom the child was removed for children in

Page 25 of 30

DFCS custody.
Special Investigations-Maltreatment in Care (MIC)
When intake reports are received indicating a child in DFCS custody has been abused or
neglected by a DFCS agent,( DFCS Foster/Adoptive Parent, Child Placing Agency
Foster/Adoptive Parent, Relative/Non-Relative Placement Provider, or Employee of a Child
Caring Institution) the intake worker must recognize the intake report as MIC and code it
correctly in Georgia SHINES. The relationship of the alleged maltreater may be different
from the relationship selected on the Georgia SHINES Allegation Detail page and what is
identified on the Person Detail page of the alleged maltreater.
Example: The child may be in the approved relative placement of his aunt. On the aunts
Person Detail page, the relationship is primary caregiver; however, if the aunt is the alleged
maltreater, the aunt will be identified on the Allegation Detail page as the relative provider, not
the aunt. (See Georgia SHINES Special Investigations Training User Guide-Module 1, Entering
MIC Intakes)
Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
These youth often face unique barriers to enrolling and succeeding in school. Without a
caregiver to advocate for them and exercise parental rights, they are sometimes denied
enrollment and remain out of school for extended periods of time. Unaccompanied youth may
not understand their educational rights or know how to acquire this information. According to
McKinney-Vento 8 the term homeless children and youths means individuals who lack a fixed,
regular, and adequate nighttime residence and includes:
1. Children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing,
economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or
camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations;
are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are
awaiting foster care placement;
2. Children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private
place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human
beings;
3. Children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings,
substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
4. Migratory children who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the
children are living in circumstances described in (1) through (3) above.
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act section 106 (b) (2) (F) ensures educational
rights and protections for homeless children that includes school stability and transportation.
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) require that the needs of homeless
children be addressed. Unaccompanied youth have the same rights as other students
experiencing homelessness. They specifically have the right to:
1. Remain in their school of origin to the extent feasible;
2. Transportation to and from the school of origin;
3. Immediately enroll in a new school serving the area in which they are currently living even
8 The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the primary piece of federal legislation dealing
with the education of children and youth experiencing homelessness. It was reauthorized as Title
X, Part C, of the No Child Left Behind Act, which went into effect in January 2002.
.

Page 26 of 30

if they dont have typically required documents;

4. Equal access to programs and services such as gifted and talented education, special
education, vocational education.
NOTE: When a child is eligible for school stability and transportation under the McKinneyVento Homeless Act of 2002, County Department staff will contact the DFCS Educational
Programming, Assessment and Consultation Unit (EPAC) at EPAC@dhr.state.ga.us. (See
policy 4.3 Intake: Making an Intake Decision)

Child Abuse and Neglect Definitions

Abuse means any non-accidental physical injury or physical injury, which is inconsistent with the
explanation given for it suffered by a child as the result of the acts or omissions of a person
responsible for the care of a child.
Abandonment or Abandoned means any conduct on the part of a parent, guardian, or legal
custodian showing intent to forgo parental duties or relinquish parental claims. This intent may
be evidenced by:
1. Failure for a period of at least six months to communicate meaningfully with a child;
2. Failure for a period of at least six months to maintain regular visitation with a child;
3. Leaving a child with another person without provision for his or her support for a period of
at least six months;
4. Failure, for a period of at least six months to participate in any court ordered plan or
program designed to reunite a childs parent, guardian, or legal custodian with his or her
child;
5. Leaving a child without affording means of identifying the child or his or her parent,
guardian, or legal custodian and the identity of the childs parent, guardian, or legal
custodian cannot be ascertained despite a diligent search; nor has the guardian, or legal
custodian come forward to claim the child within three months following the finding of the
child.
6. Being absent from the home of his or her child for a period of time that creates a
substantial risk of serious harm to a child left in the home;
7. Failure to respond for a period of at least six months to notice of child protective
proceedings;
8. Any other conduct indicating intent to forgo parental duties or relinquish parental claims.
Caregiver means any person providing a residence for a child or any person legally obligated to
provide or secure adequate care for a child including his or her parent, guardian or legal
custodian; other adult that continually or at regular intervals live in the home; a foster parent; an
employee of a public or private residential home, child care institution, day or child care facility;
school personnel.
1. Primary caregiver: The person living in the household who assumes the most
responsibility for childcare.
2. Secondary caregiver: A parent or other person living in or frequently in the household
who shares with the primary caregiver the routine responsibilities for childcare. A
significant other residing in the home may be a secondary caregiver even though this
person has limited childcare responsibility and may not have any legal relationship or
obligation to do so.
NOTE: Any person identified as a caregiver for a child should be entered as a principal in
Georgia SHINES and all screenings completed and evaluated for any impact on child

Page 27 of 30

safety. (See policy 4.2 Intake: Screening Case Participants)

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) is defined as sexual abuse/prostitution
of a child by an adult involving payment in cash, food, shelter or other forms of value to the child
or a third person; involving treatment of the child as a sexual and commercial object in activities
such as prostitution, adult entertainment, pornography, and other forms of transactional sex
where a child engages in sexual activities. Victims of sexual exploitation may have suffered
significant psychological, physical and sexual abuse and may exhibit anxiety, depression, and
post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). Many victims of commercial sexual exploitation do not
see themselves as victims and will make efforts to protect their abuser. In situations where the
childs caregiver has not been identified as the maltreater, DFCS must engage the reporter in
obtaining information regarding caregiver protective capacity and what efforts have been made
to protect the vulnerable child.
Emotional Abuse means acts or omissions by a person responsible for the care of a child that
cause any mental injury to such childs intellectual or psychological capacity as evidenced by an
observable and significant impairment in such childs ability to function within a childs normal
range of performance and behavior; or that creates a substantial risk of impairment, if the
impairment or substantial risk of impairment is diagnosed and confirmed by a licensed mental
health professional or physician qualified to render such diagnosis.
Family Violence means an act between past or present spouses, persons who are parents of
the same child, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, foster parents and foster
children or other persons living or formerly living in the same household in the presence of a
child. An act includes a single act, multiple acts, or a continuing course of conduct. Presence
means physically present or able to see or hear. The term family violence shall not be deemed
to include reasonable discipline administered by a parent to a child in the form of corporal
punishment, restraint or detention. Domestic Violence-Intimate Partner Violence (DV/IPV) is
a pattern of assault and/or coercive behaviors including physical, sexual and emotional abuses,
as well as economic abuse that adults use against their intimate partners to gain power and
control in that relationship.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD)
FASD diagnostic conditions include:
Type I: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome with confirmed maternal exposure.
Type II: FAS without confirmed maternal exposure.
Type III: Alcohol-related birth defects (ARBD).
Type IV: Alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder (ARND).
Symptoms of FASD can include facial abnormalities, growth deficiencies, skeletal deformities,
organ deformities, central nervous system handicaps, and behavioral problems. These
symptoms can have lifelong implications for children who were exposed to alcohol in the womb;
however, some FASD children who receive special education and adequate social services are
more likely to reach their developmental and educational potential than those who do not receive
those services.
NOTE: Intake reports of children affected by FASD will be entered into Georgia SHINES,
screened in and assigned as an investigation or family support services case.
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) requires that healthcare providers
identify and make referrals to CPS of infants affected by prenatal drug exposure or FASD and

Page 28 of 30

that plans for safe care (safety, family and case plans that promote health and wellbeing) be
developed for newborns and children affected by prenatal drug exposure or a FASD.
Neglect is defined as:
1. The failure to provide proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required
by law or other care or control necessary for a childs physical, mental or emotional
health or morals; or
2. The failure to provide a child with adequate supervision necessary for such childs wellbeing; or
3. The abandonment of a child by his or her parent, guardian or legal custodian.
NOTE: Neglect may be evidenced by repeated events or a single event that indicates a
present danger situation or an impending danger safety threat. Neglect may also be found
when there is physical injury to a child that occurs as a result of a lack of appropriate
protective actions being taken by a caregiver. (See Lack of Supervision Reference Guide)
Person Responsible for the Care of a Child means:
1. An adult member of a childs household;
2. A person exercising supervision over a child for any part of the 24 hour day; or
3. Any adult who based on his or her relationship to the parent, guardian or legal custodian
or a member of a childs household has access to such child.
NOTE: Anyone designated as a person responsible for the care of a child should be entered
as a principal in Georgia SHINES and screened in all systems for any history that could
affect child safety. (See policy 4.2 Intake: Screening Case Participants)
Physical Abuse is defined as any non-accidental physical injury or physical injury which is
inconsistent with the explanation given for it suffered by a child as the result of the acts or
omissions of a person responsible for the care of a child.
Prenatal Abuse infants who while in the womb are exposed to chronic or severe use of alcohol
or the unlawful use of any controlled substance which results in symptoms of withdrawal in a
newborn; or the presence of a controlled substance or a metabolite thereof in a newborns body,
blood, urine or meconium that is not the result of medical treatment; or medically diagnosed and
harmful effects in a newborns physical appearance or functioning.
Prenatally Exposed Infants are infants identified by a medical professional as affected by
illegal substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug and/or exposure
(prenatally exposed to drugs or alcohol) or a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Based on the notification by medical personnel and a series of questions to ascertain the effect
of the substance use/abuse on the infant, prenatally exposed infant reports will be entered into
Georgia SHINES. They must be screened in and assigned as an Investigation or Family Support
Services intervention.
NOTE: When there is an allegation that the mother has or is using substances and the infant
has not been identified as being affected, there must be consideration of the six Family
Functioning Areas including an analysis of CPS history in to determine if the Intake Assessment
is screened in for an assignment to Investigations or Family Support Services.
Sexual Abuse means conduct a caregiver or other person responsible for the care of a child
employing, using, persuading, inducing, enticing or coercing any child to engage in any act,

Page 29 of 30

which involves:
1. Sexual intercourse including genital-genital, oral-genital, anal-genital or oral-anal whether
between persons of the same or opposite sex;
2. Bestiality;
3. Masturbation;
4. Lewd exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of any person;
5. Flagellation or torture by or upon a person who is nude;
6. The condition of being fettered, bound or otherwise physically restrained on the part of a
person who is nude;
7. Physical contact in an act of apparent sexual stimulation or gratification with any persons
clothed or unclothed genitals, pubic area or buttocks or with a females clothed or
unclothed breasts;
8. Defecation or urination for the purpose of sexual stimulation; or
9. Penetration of the vagina or rectum by any object except when done as part of a
recognized medical procedure by a licensed health care professional.
NOTE: Caregiver protective capacity to protect must be evaluated when alleged
sexual abuse by person that is a third party is reported.
Sexual exploitation means conduct by a caregiver or other person responsible for the care of a
child who allows, permits, encourages, or requires a child to engage in:
1. Prostitution, in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-6-9
2. Sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing any visual or printed medium,
depicting such contact in violation of O.C.G.A. 16-12-100
FORMS AND TOOLS
Georgia Safety Threats
Georgia Maltreatment Codes
Intake Introduction Script
Georgia Six Areas of Family Functioning Tool
Educational Programming Assessment & Consultation (EPAC) Student Referral/Enrollment
Georgia SHINES Recording Safe Place for Newborns-Short-Term Emergency Care Intakes
Georgia SHINES Special Investigations Training - User Guide
Lack of Supervision Reference Guide

Back to Table of Contents

Page 30 of 30