beda?chelh CPS social workers co-investigate with the State CPS workers allegations of child endangerment, abuse and neglect through referrals called into the State CPS hotline. The State is the lead investigator in CPS investigations in accordance with the Government-to-Government Child Welfare Agreement between the Tulalip Tribes and the State of Washington.
(Res. 2020-554)
beda?chelh shall investigate CPS referrals by assessing a variety of factors concerning the family’s situation, functioning and their strengths and needs. beda?chelh shall gather information during the course of the investigation from a variety of sources which may include social worker interviews with the child, parents, collateral contacts including school or medical staff, and may include a family team decision meeting.
(1) 
Beda?chelh shall make an assessment of risk based on:
(a) 
The events that precipitated the referral;
(b) 
The nature of the family interactions, conditions, and supports;
(c) 
The child’s age, individual and special needs, and capabilities;
(d) 
How to best leverage family strengths and assessing the family’s perceived needs and risks; and
(e) 
Whether there are any previous reports of abuse or neglect.
(2) 
Once risk is assessed and child safety is determined:
(a) 
To not be imminent, but determined to be low to moderate risk of further harm, then the family may be referred for services using the voluntary Family Intervention Team (FIT).
(b) 
To be imminent harm or continuing risk, then appropriate action could be:
(i) 
Safety plan with the family and service provider(s);
(ii) 
Voluntary temporary out of home placement of the child;
(iii) 
Requesting the Court to order the child into protective custody;
(iv) 
Placing the child in protective custody.
(Res. 2020-554)
FIT shall reach out to expectant parent(s) in situations which may put the parent(s) at risk for Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement upon the birth of their child, in order to engage them in voluntary services to decrease their risk of CPS involvement.
(Res. 2015-101. Formerly 4.05.260; Res. 2018-346; Res. 2020-554)