Review Of ‘Screened Out’ Reports Prompts DFCS To Re-opens Dozens Of Cases
The Division of Family and Children Services says it’s re-opened dozens of child abuse and neglect cases that weren’t properly investigated after two child deaths prompted a review of all claims that had been similarly dismissed.As heard on the radio
DFCS Director Dr. Sharon Hill says 91 cases – about 2 percent of more than 4100 reports the division has so far reviewed – have been re-opened after the division began reviewing claims that were closed, or “screened out,” over the phone.
“We all decided that, yes, this was not a good screen out. We need to go back and do something with the cases,” Hill said.
The review was prompted by last year’s deaths of 10-year-old Emani Moss and 12-year-old Eric Forbes. After reports showed DFCS missed opportunities to intervene in both cases, the division said it would review every claim that had been similarly dropped.
For the 91 reopened cases, Hill said the division either began an investigation into the family or provided support services, like counseling.
She said while no children have been removed from their families, DFCS is looking at the similarities of the cases to see if the claim intake process needs to be changed.
“The theme was around pretty much two things: probably the prior history analysis and really understanding maybe the seriousness of a prior report,” said Hill of those cases that had been re-opened.
The 91 re-visited cases were pulled from around 550 reports of abuse that were sent back for further review due to insufficient information in the case file or call report..
Hill said upon further investigation, most of those 550 reports were found to have been properly dropped or had already been addressed due to a later claim.
“Some situations, we get out and we find out, especially in some of these kinds of cases, that the child is already receiving counseling or something has already been set up for this child,” Hill said.
In its ongoing review, DFCS looked at cases dating back to October 2012.
The division prioritized those cases that had either a prior report or involved allegations of sexual or physical abuse.
Hill said while the department has reviewed more than 4,100 cases, there are still more than 37,000 left to look over. She believes those remaining claims were correctly dismissed.
“We’re still taking another look at them, Hill said, “but we don’t feel like these were as critical as this first batch.”
Hill said she expects the full review to be completed by the end of the year at the latest.
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