family · 2019. 1. 15. · about your family, a far caseworker will meet with you to talk about...

A CPS pathway to strengthen and support families Family Assessment Response (FAR) DSHS 22-1534 (Rev. 5/14) • Children’s Administration received a report with concerns about your child’s safety. • The report met the legal definition of child abuse and neglect in Washington state (RCW 26.44.020). • The report did not say that your child was in immediate danger. • Children’s Administration wants to work with you to help keep your children safe. Why am I receiving a Family Assessment Response? For more information about FAR use the QR code below, or go to the FAR website at: www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/about/far.asp If you have a complaint or concern about how your case is being handled, call your FAR caseworker’s supervisor. If your concerns are still not resolved you can call the Area Administrator. You may call the Office of Constituent Relations at 1-800-723-4831 for help at any time. -or- You may call the Office of the Family & Children’s Ombuds* at 1-800-571-7321. *This agency is separate from DSHS. It investigates concerns about Children’s Administration. Who do I contact if I have concerns about my case?

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Page 1: Family · 2019. 1. 15. · about your family, a FAR caseworker will meet with you to talk about your children’s safety. The caseworker will work with you to decide if you need services

A CPS pathway to strengthen and support families

Family Assessment Response (FAR)

DSHS 22-1534 (Rev. 5/14)

• Children’sAdministrationreceivedareportwithconcernsaboutyourchild’ssafety.

• ThereportmetthelegaldefinitionofchildabuseandneglectinWashingtonstate(RCW26.44.020).

• Thereportdidnotsaythatyourchildwasinimmediatedanger.

• Children’sAdministrationwantstoworkwithyoutohelpkeepyourchildrensafe.

Why am I receiving a Family Assessment Response?

For more information about FAR use the QR code below, or go to the FAR website at:

www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/about/far.asp

Ifyouhaveacomplaintorconcernabouthowyourcaseisbeinghandled,callyourFARcaseworker’ssupervisor.

IfyourconcernsarestillnotresolvedyoucancalltheAreaAdministrator.

YoumaycalltheOfficeofConstituentRelationsat1-800-723-4831forhelpatanytime.

-or-

YoumaycalltheOfficeoftheFamily&Children’sOmbuds*at1-800-571-7321.

*ThisagencyisseparatefromDSHS.ItinvestigatesconcernsaboutChildren’sAdministration.

Who do I contact if I have concerns about my case?

Page 2: Family · 2019. 1. 15. · about your family, a FAR caseworker will meet with you to talk about your children’s safety. The caseworker will work with you to decide if you need services

WhenChildren’sAdministrationreceivesareportaboutyourfamily,aFARcaseworkerwillmeetwithyoutotalkaboutyourchildren’ssafety.

Thecaseworkerwillworkwithyoutodecideifyouneedservicesorsupportstolowertheriskoffuturechildabuseandneglect.Yourcaseworkerwillhelpyourfamilyworkthroughchallenges.

MostFARcaseswillclosewithin45days.However,youandtheFARcaseworkermaychoosetokeepyourcaseopenfor90days,ifitwouldbehelpfultocontinueservicesthatsupportthegoodworkyouhavebegun.

You have choices:

• YoumaychoosetoengageinFAR -or-• YoumaychoosetohaveatraditionalCPS

investigation

IfyoudonotagreewithyourFARcaseworkerabouttheservicesyourfamilyneeds,youmayaskforameetingwithFARstafftotalkaboutotheroptions.

How does Family Assessment Response work?

Your caseworker will help your family work through challenges.

Youknowwhatyouandyourfamilyneed.Your FAR caseworker will work with you to:

• Identifyhowyoucanimproveyourchild’ssafetyathome.

• Meetthebasicneedsofyourfamily.

• Increaseskillstohelpyouparentyourchildrenatallagesandstages.

• Developastrongerconnectiontoyourcommunity.

• Findcommunityresourcesandmentorstoaddressongoingconcernssuchashousing,work,orotherissuesthatarecreatingstressforyouandyourfamily.

Togetherwewillworktobuildyourconfidenceandskillstokeepyourchildrensafe.

How can Family Assessment Response help me?

FARisadifferentwayforWashingtonStateChildProtectiveServicestorespondtosomereportsofchildabuseandneglect.BeforeFAR,CPSrespondedtoreportsofchildabuseandneglectwithaninvestigation.

FAR works with families to:

• Supportthemwhentheyareincrisiswithoutfindingparentsresponsibleforchildabuseorneglect.

• Helpthemconnectwiththeircommunities.

Both investigators and FAR caseworkers:

• Workwithfamiliestokeepchildrensafe.

• Identifyfamilies’needs.

• Buildonparentandcommunitystrengthsandresources.

• Findservicestoeasestressfulsituationsthatmakeithardtofocusonchildren’sneeds.

Investigations:

• Determinewhetherchildabuseorneglectoccurred.

• Identifywhoisresponsiblefortheallegedabuseorneglect.

• Makeafindingaboutwhetherchildabuseorneglectoccurred.ThisiskeptinDSHSrecords,andmayaffectfutureemploymentwithchildrenorvulnerableadults.