A variety of case situations may require an Independent Initial Assessment. There are four circumstances which warrant an Independent Initial Assessment: A report of alleged child abuse or neglect in a residential facility located in Milwaukee County, foster home licensed by or for DMCPS and/or a report of alleged abuse or neglect by an out-of-home placement located in Milwaukee County (i.e. unlicensed relative, unlicensed non-relative, kinship, like-kin, etc.). Reports of abuse or neglect by a DMCPS employee also warrant an independent initial assessment. Reports concerning individuals with professional relationships with the agency (e.g., a human service board member or law enforcement officer responsible for conducting child abuse and neglect investigations) may also introduce questions of bias and would thus warrant an independent initial assessment. Completing reports and assessments not specifically identified in this RFP but required of the local CPS agencies (e.g. child welfare reports, home studies, guardianships, etc.) when there is an appearance of a conflict or an identified conflict for DMCPS or its contracted case management agency to complete the assessment. Additionally, there will be requests to complete an Independent Initial Assessment located outside of Milwaukee County to meet DCF’s needs. Independent Initial Assessments must be conducted in a manner consistent with the philosophy, purpose and standards of DCF/DSP/DMCPS and Wisconsin CPS Access and Initial Assessment (IA) Standards, CPS Safety Intervention Standards and Ongoing Standards and Chapter 48 Wisconsin Statutes Children’s Code. In addition, the Contractor must comply with all applicable DCF/DSP/DMCPS memos, policies, and protocols. The Contractor responsible for conducting the Independent Initial Assessment must make a determination as to whether abuse or neglect has occurred (i.e., a substantiated or unsubstantiated decision) and must collaborate with DMCPS Initial Assessment and Ongoing Case Management staff when action is needed to ensure child safety. The control and management of the child’s safety is the responsibility of DMCPS and/or the contracted case management agencies.
