Rule 5101:2-37-01 | PCSA requirements for completing the safety assessment.
(A) The public children services agency (PCSA) is to complete the "Safety Assessment" in Ohio's comprehensive child welfare information system (CCWIS) for all of the following when the child is not in the permanent custody of the PCSA:
(1) Intra-familial child abuse and neglect reports, including those which are screened in as a third party investigation.
(2) Dependency reports.
(3) Stranger danger investigations.
(B) The PCSA is to complete the "Safety Assessment" regarding the family of the alleged child victim/child subject of the report. For the purpose of completion of the "Safety Assessment," family includes all of the following individuals, as applicable:
(1) Alleged child victim/child subject of the report.
(2) Siblings of the alleged child victim/child subject of the report, including step or half siblings residing in the home.
(3) Parent(s), guardian, or custodian of the alleged child victim/child subject of the report.
(4) Paramour of the custodial parent, guardian, or custodian who is residing in the home.
(5) Children of the paramour residing in the home.
(6) Other children residing in the home of whom the parent, guardian, or custodian has custody or guardianship.
(7) A related or unrelated adult caretaker residing in the home who has routine responsibility for the care of the alleged child victim/child subject of the report and their siblings.
(C) The PCSA is to, at a minimum, conduct a face-to-face interview with each alleged child victim/child subject of the report and at least one parent, guardian, custodian, or a caretaker of the alleged child victim/child subject of the report within the first four working days from the date the referral was screened in to complete the "Safety Assessment."
(D) If an order of shared parenting has been issued and there has not been a residential parent designated by the court, the PCSA is to complete an assessment of safety with each alleged child victim/child subject of the report and at least the parent or caretaker in the home of the parent who has physical care of the alleged child victim/child subject of the report at the time the incident occurred within the first four working days from the date the referral was screened in to complete the "Safety Assessment."
(E) The PCSA is to record the "Safety Assessment" in Ohio's CCWIS within ten working days from the date the referral was screened in. The PCSA is to approve the "Safety Assessment" within two working days from the date of submission in Ohio's CCWIS.
(F) If the PCSA is unsuccessful in completing face-to-face contacts pursuant to paragraphs (C) or (D) of this rule, the PCSA is to:
(1) Continue making attempts of face-to-face contact pursuant to rule 5101:2-36-03, 5101:2-36-04, 5101:2-36-05, 5101:2-36-09, or 5101:2-36-20 of the Administrative Code, as applicable.
(2) Complete the "Safety Assessment" in Ohio's CCWIS within three working days after face-to-face contact is made with each alleged child victim/child subject of the report and the parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker.
(G) If additional child abuse, neglect, and/or dependency referrals are screened in for assessment/investigation after acceptance of a child abuse, neglect, and/or dependency report and prior to the completion of the initial "Safety Assessment," the PCSA is to do one of the following:
(1) Complete the assessment of safety concerning all reports within four working days from the date the initial referral was screened in and record the "Safety Assessment" in Ohio's CCWIS pursuant to paragraph (E) of this rule.
(2) Complete an assessment of safety for each referral screened in for assessment/investigation within four working days from the date each referral was screened in respectively and record each "Safety Assessment" in Ohio's CCWIS pursuant to paragraph (E) of this rule.
(H) The completion of one "Safety Assessment" is to be permitted if a subsequent report has been received prior to the PCSA successfully completing the required face-to-face contacts for the assessment of safety.
Last updated September 3, 2024 at 9:08 AM
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