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Child and Family Services outlines intake, investigations and efforts to limit foster care removals
Summary
Child and Family Services told the committee it receives about 29,000–30,000 intake calls annually, investigates ~6,544 cases (in the most recent fiscal year), and has focused on prevention plans, family support teams and expedited emergency hearings to reduce foster care removals and improve reunification.
Nikki Grossberg, Division Administrator for Child and Family Services, briefed the committee on how child‑welfare cases move through the system and recent changes to policy and practice.
Grossberg said the division receives roughly 29,000–30,000 decentralized intake calls annually; in the most recent fiscal year about 6,544 calls met the statutory threshold for investigation, involving approximately 9,700 children, and 1,276 children entered foster care. She described triage and response timelines (priority 1: 24 hours; priority 2: 72 hours; priority 3: 10 days) and said the division is reviewing the use of priority 3 responses for non‑emergency matters.
Grossberg described the division’s safety assessments, use of in‑home protection plans and the statutory ability to place a child with a relative for up to 30 days without court action if the parent agrees. She emphasized family support teams—multi‑party meetings during investigation to identify services the family prefers—and prevention plans that help keep children safely at home when parents agree to services.
The division noted changes enacted last session requiring emergency protective services hearings within five days of removal statewide; Grossberg said the expedited hearings help keep parents engaged and bring attorneys and courts into problem solving earlier. She also said the division has emphasized placing children with relatives where possible (about 45% of placements) and noted that over 60% of children who enter foster care return to a parent.
Members asked about primary reasons for removals; Grossberg said physical neglect (often tied to parental substance use and mental health issues) is the most common category leading to foster care. The division highlighted reliance on DPHHS behavioral‑health services to support prevention and reunification.
Grossberg offered handouts and asked committee members to review provided data for follow‑up questions.
