NAC432B.150. Investigation of report: General requirements.

     1. If an agency which provides child welfare services receives a report made pursuant to NRS 432B.220 or a report from a law enforcement agency, an initial evaluation must be conducted to determine if the situation or condition of the child makes child welfare services appropriate or whether the child and his parents may be referred to an agency which provides family assessment services. Such an evaluation must be the practice even when the referral has been made by a professional or official person on the basis of his specialized knowledge. A family must not be referred to an agency which provides family assessment services if the report involves sexual abuse or abuse that occurred in an institution or the child has been placed in custody by a law enforcement agency or held at a hospital by a physician.

     2. If an investigation is initiated by an agency which provides child welfare services pursuant to NRS 432B.260, the agency must determine, in the order of priority that follows, as part of the investigation whether:

     (a) The child is safe considering the factors set forth in NAC 432B.160;

     (b) The child is at risk of future harm; and

     (c) The child and his parents should receive child welfare services or whether the family should be referred to an agency which provides family assessment services.

     3. If an agency which provides child welfare services receives a report pursuant to NRS 432B.220 or initiates an investigation pursuant to NRS 432B.260:

     (a) A caseworker must evaluate the familial situation to decide what needs to be done and what can be done, taking into consideration the problems and the strengths in the given situation as they relate to the neglect or abuse of the child.

     (b) The child must be seen immediately if the allegations suggest imminent harm.

     (c) The caseworker must, when other children are in the same household, also assess the protective needs of the children who are not the subject of the report.

     4. An agency which provides child welfare services shall have a written protocol for reports of sexual abuse which:

     (a) Specifies the process of investigation and initial intervention;

     (b) Contains provisions to minimize the additional trauma to a child caused by repetitive interviewing; and

     (c) Specifies the roles to be played by medical providers and agencies for law enforcement and social services.

     [Welfare Div., Standards for Child Protective Services part Art. III-B + part Art. III-G, eff. 9-11-87]—(NAC A by Div. of Child & Fam. Services by R221-97, 6-5-98; E001-01, 6-28-2001; R083-01, 10-31-2001; R045-02, 7-23-2002)