The State Board of Human Services today tabled a vote on a proposed rule change that would relax regulations dictating when caseworkers must investigate reports of abuse and neglect on children.
In March, the Colorado Department of Human Services proposed a change that would remove a rule requiring county social workers to automatically open an investigation if they receive three reports of child abuse or neglect within two years — and the first two referrals were not investigated. Instead, social workers would examine prior contacts with the child to determine whether an investigation is warranted.
The board tabled the rule change to allow state officials to continue discussions with county departments and child advocacy groups and to continue gathering data.
Among the board’s questions: How many children died while in the child welfare system over the last several years, and how many of those cases had three referrals in two years that were not opened for investigation.
An investigation by The Denver Post in January showed that in the past five years, at least 43 children had died after entering the state’s child welfare system. In 17 of those cases, county social workers failed to start an investigation after a report of abuse or neglect warranted one.
Jordan Steffen: 303-954-1794 or jsteffen@denverpost.com
