Sec. 07.02.07.14. Alternative Response Assessment of Child Abuse or Neglect

A. During the alternative response assessment, the local department shall gather appropriate information to:

(1) Evaluate the alleged victim’s home environment;

(2) Decide on the safety of the alleged victim and of other children in the household or in the care or custody of the alleged maltreator; and

(3) Determine what services, including a voluntary placement, are appropriate.

B. Initial Interviews - Alternative Response.

(1) Before an initial interview with an adult, the local department representative shall present identification.

(2) Before an initial interview with a child, the local department representative shall provide identification in a manner appropriate to the child’s developmental level.

(3) During an initial interview with the alleged maltreator, the local department representative shall provide information concerning:

(a) The nature of the alleged child abuse or neglect; and

(b) The local department’s alternative response process.

C. If during the course of an alternative response assessment the department takes a child into custody without parental consent or before court approval, the local department shall have the child examined as outlined in Regulation .07F of this chapter.

D. If a law enforcement agency made the report of child abuse or neglect, the local department shall advise the appropriate law enforcement agency that the report has been assigned for an alternative response.