New Directions In Reporting
Child Abuse & Neglect
Centralized Intake in 2002
Montana's Statewide Toll-Free Child Abuse Hotline
1-866-820-KIDS (1-866-820-5437) Effective January 1, 2002
Child Abuse Hotline (TTY-hearing-impaired) 1-866-341-8811
Beginning January 1, 2002, Child and Family Services will implement a Centralized Intake (CI) system for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect. In the past, all reports have been made to local offices or to individual workers in the community. With Centralized Intake, all reporters will call the statewide toll-free number 1-866-820-KIDS (1-866-820-5437), that can be accessed from anywhere in the nation. This will be a significant change, as reports will no longer be taken locally. However, Centralized Intake will result in increased benefits to Montana's children and families. We have studied similar centralized reporting systems in other states, and after careful evaluation, we feel confident Montana will benefit from this streamlined reporting system.
What Are the Benefits of Centralized Intake ?
Consistency. The definition and elements of a report will be uniform throughout Montana. This will ensure consistency in what is investigated as abuse or neglect across the State. There will be consistent screening, prioritization and disposition of reports. This issue has historically been a goal for the public, the Legislature, and Child and Family Services Division (CFSD).
Improved Services. All reports will be screened through Centralized Intake. CI will be responsible for determining what is sent to the field for investigation. Only the reports that CFSD has the authority and responsibility to investigate - those that allege abuse or neglect - will be sent to the field. Each report will be assessed to determine the level of risk to the child and prioritized for response time.
Cooperative Casework. Community service providers and CFSD social workers will continue to work together on cases. These contacts and relationships will be maintained as before.
Dedicated Number for Law Enforcement. Calls from law enforcement will be prioritized to receive an immediate response. Centralized Intake will be supported by a formal on-call schedule developed by each local CFSD office to respond to emergencies. Law enforcement will no longer need to search through a list of names trying to locate a social worker. Centralized Intake will notify the appropriate social worker to assist law enforcement when necessary.
What Can You Expect When You Call Centralized Intake (CI)?
- CI will be staffed by professional social workers who will be available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- When you make a report, you will be told at the end of the call if the report will be sent to the field for investigation. For reports sent to the field, you will also be given a local supervisor's name as the contact person, so that you can follow up with him or her, if you choose
- If the report does not meet the legal requirements for investigation, you will be advised. Local offices will be notified of information received that may indicate families need referrals to resources within their communities.
Remember, reports will no longer be accepted through local offices. Effective January 1, 2002, ALL reports of child abuse and neglect MUST be made to Centralized Intake's toll-free number 1-866-820-KIDS (1-866-820-5437). Local offices will assist walk-in reporters by providing access to a telephone and guidance in reporting. For more information on Child and Family Services Division programs, please refer to the CFSD website http://www.dphhs.mt.gov
Page last updated: 07/31/2006
