3.26 Screen-Out Refer Process

Georgia State Seal

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
Child Welfare Policy Manual

Chapter:

(3) Intake

Policy Title:

Screen-Out Refer Process

Policy Number:

3.26

Previous Policy Number(s):

N/A

Effective Date:

November 2023

Manual Transmittal:

2023-03

Codes/References

Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA)

Requirements

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) will:

  1. Refer families to community-based prevention or early intervention services when the Intake Assessment does not meet Georgia statute and DFCS policy requirements for child abuse but indicates the family may have non-safety related needs and community resources could strengthen and support the family and/or child.

  2. Assign screen out and refer Intake Assessments to the County Division to initiate the referral to a community-based prevention or early intervention service provider(s) to address the identified non-safety related need(s).

  3. Notify the family of receipt of the intake report and engage the family in identifying service provisions prior to completing the referral to prevention or early intervention services.

    To facilitate family engagement, the County Division should prioritize contacting the family by telephone, if a working contact number is provided.

  4. Initiate a referral to the community-based prevention or early intervention service provider(s) on receipt of the screen out and refer Intake Assessment from the CPS Intake Communication Center (CICC).

Procedures

The CICC Centralized Intake Specialist Supervisor (CISS) will:

  1. Verify the Intake Assessment includes the family’s identified non-safety related need(s).

  2. Assign the Intake Assessment to the County Division in Georgia SHINES to complete the referral to prevention or early intervention services.

The County Division will:

  1. Upon receipt of a screen-out and refer Intake Assessment from the CICC within one business day, contact the family via telephone call or written notice:

    1. Explain:

      1. An Intake Assessment was received indicating that the family may be in need of assistance;

      2. The DFCS process to address screen-out and refer Intake Assessments;

      3. Reason(s) for concern and how the family may benefit from services;

    2. Collaborate with the family to locate a community-based prevention or early intervention service provider to address the specified need.

  2. Implement the identified community-based prevention or early intervention services to address the specified need in accordance with policy 19.17 Case Management: Service Provision.

  3. Document in Georgia SHINES screen-out and refer activities within 72 hours of occurrence including uploading the referral and any service notes or reports into External Documentation.

  4. Complete supervisor approval of the Intake Assessment in Georgia SHINES.

Practice Guidance

Prevention Services

Prevention services are community-based, prevention-focused designed to strengthen and support families in order to prevent child abuse. The type of services to address the prevention of child abuse include:

  • Early childhood and childcare services

  • Employment/job training

  • Financial Assistance

  • Home visiting programs

  • Legal services

  • Mental health services

  • Parent education

  • Parent support groups

  • Respite care

  • Sexual abuse prevention

  • Substance abuse prevention

  • Violence prevention

Early Intervention Services

Early intervention (EI) services are community-based services that build on and increase the strength and stability of families, increase parent confidence and competence in their parenting abilities and enhance family functioning to prevent or address child abuse. EI services are short term and are offered at no cost to the family. See policy 18.1 Support Services to Preserve or Reunify Families: Early Intervention for additional information.

Forms and Tools

Prevent Child Abuse Georgia