Louisiana Auditor Faults Child Protective Services Implementation Of Alternative Response Approach

After implementing an alternative response approach to child maltreatment allegations in 2008, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) failed to follow its existing policies and improperly implemented an assessment model intervention in lieu of an investigation model intervention in 2.7% of cases. Of the 95,178 maltreatment cases handled from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2013 the risk level for 2,602 low-risk cases was incorrect.

These were the findings reported in reported in “Louisiana Performance Audit Child Welfare: Intake, Alternative Response and Child Protection Activities – Department of Children and Family Services” by Daryl . . .