3.6 Intakes Involving Family Violence, Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(3) Intake

Policy Title:

Intakes Involving Family Violence, Domestic Violence or Intimate Partner Violence

Policy Number:

3.6

Previous Policy Number(s):

3.8, 4.1

Effective Date:

July 2024

Manual Transmittal:

2024-06

Codes/References

O.C.G.A. § 19-13-1 Family violence defined
O.C.G.A. § 19-13A-1 Definitions

Requirements

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) will receive intake reports of alleged child maltreatment involving acts of family violence, domestic violence (DV) or intimate partner violence (IPV). This includes acts of violence in the presence of a child and may include information related to one or more incidents of violence or a pattern of assault or coercive behaviors.

Procedures

CPS Intake Communications Center Centralized Intake Specialist

  1. Complete the Intake Assessment information gathering process with the reporter as outlined in policy 3.1 Intake: Receiving Intake Reports.

  2. In addition to the areas of family functioning, collect the following information when the intake report indicates family violence, domestic violence and/or intimate partner violence:

    1. Has the violence changed or increased over time?

    2. How often does violence occur?

    3. What are any recent injuries or accidents?

    4. If police were involved, what happened?

    5. Describe the children’s behavior during the violence and how the children are affected emotionally, behaviorally or physically.

    6. Where are the children when the violence occurs?

    7. Were there any threats to hurt or kill the family members or pets?

    8. Describe any weapons used to threaten or harm someone in the family.

    9. Describe the circumstances if a family member has been stalked or taken hostage.

    10. Describe the circumstances if the alleged maltreater threatened to leave with the children.

    11. Describe the family members’ substance abuse, substance use or addiction.

    12. Describe the effects the violence has on the children.

    13. How are the children being protected now? Who is protecting the children?

    14. Describe contacts the alleged adult victim has with family or community members.

    15. What assistance has the adult victim tried to access?

    16. Describe any assistance that has been provided by individuals or service providers.

    17. Are there other sources of information on the alleged maltreater such as:

      1. Police reports;

      2. Temporary Protective Orders;

      3. Restraining Orders and Stalking Order filings;

      4. Temporary Protective Orders;

      5. Previous Child Protective Services allegations; or

      6. Probation and/or Parole involvement

  3. Refer to the Intimate Partner Violence (Domestic Violence) Guidelines and Protocol Intake Section for additional guidelines for intake reports involving these case types.

  4. Screen case participants according to policy 19.9 Case Management: Safety Screenings.

  5. Assess all information gathered to make an intake decision according to policy 3.2 Intake: Make an Intake Decision.

Centralized Intake Specialist Supervisor

  1. Evaluate and make an approval decision on the Intake Assessment as outlined in policy 3.2 Intake: Make an Intake Decision.

  2. Stage progress the Intake Assessment to the Initial Safety Assessment stage in Georgia SHINES.

  3. Assign to the County Department.

Practice Guidance

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.

DV/IPV means one or more incidents; or patterns of abusive behavior that adults use against their intimate partner, which are witnessed or perceived by the child. DV/IPV can occur between past or present spouses, persons who are parents of the same child, parents, and adult children, same sex relationships, dating relationships, etc.

Forms and Tools

Intimate Partner Violence (Domestic Violence) Guidelines and Protocol