Child Protective Services will work cooperatively with Law Enforcement, Medical Personnel and Prosecutors when a child’s health, safety and well-being may have been affected due to a family or household members use, distribution, or manufacturing of a controlled substance.

OVERVIEW

• Respond to law enforcement when notified of a drug endangered child
• Accept control of the child from law enforcement or first responders
• Arrange for appropriate decontamination
• Arrange for immediate and follow-up medical care
• Conduct initial interview with the child
• Make placement decisions
• On-going collaboration with law enforcement, medical personnel, and criminal prosecutor

PROCEDURES

1. Respond to the scene as requested by law enforcement
   • If possible, law enforcement will notify CPS in advance of a planned raid;  CPS will be invited to and attend any scheduled briefings
   • If during a raid, children are located in a home, or believed to live in a home but are not present, CPS will be notified immediately (either through the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or as otherwise arranged at the local level);  if CPS is contacted at the local office, CPS needs to make a report to the Child Abuse Hotline within 12 hours
2. CPS will take control of the child while on the scene
   • CPS will take control of any children located at the residence
   • CPS will attempt to locate any children not at the scene (i.e. school)
3. CPS will arrange for decontamination of the child
   • At the site, the child will be changed into fresh clothes and/or wrapped in a blanket for transportation. Upon arrival to a safe destination, the child will be decontaminated. Proper decontamination of asymptomatic children includes a bath with warm soap and water and shampooing the hair.
   • None of child’s clothing, toys, or personal items are to be removed from the home as they are likely contaminated; CPS will need to provide the child with clean clothing and necessary personal items, i.e. diapers, formula, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
4. Ensure immediate and follow-up medical care is provided for each child.
   • If the child appears to have a medical emergency, have the child evaluated on the scene by local first responders or emergency medical services staff
   • If the child does not require emergency medical care, follow medical protocols
5. Interview the child, preferably by a forensic interviewer.
   • Information obtained in interview will be shared with law enforcement and criminal prosecution
6. Make decision regarding placement of the child; placement decision will be made following regional protocols
   • At placement, provide caregiver with information on follow up medical care needs of the child
7. If CPS decides to file for custody of the child, complete necessary paperwork and file on or before the first working day after the date the child is taken into CPS custody.
8. Complete the CPS Investigation
9. Maintain on-going communication with law enforcement and prosecution   
10. regarding the civil and/or criminal case