Family and Children's Services
Child Protection Services
Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 720-887-2271
The Family and Children's Division serves the community through a wide range of services and programs. Ensuring the safety, permanency and well-being for Broomfield's children is the primary goal of the Child Protection Services unit. This goal is accomplished through the following:
1. Professional staff are
available 24/7 to respond to allegations of abuse and neglect,
2. Assessment of referrals and reports of alleged child abuse and/or
neglect,
3. Investigation and ongoing management of cases,
4. Provision of ongoing services to families and children, and,
5. Child abuse awareness and prevention.
Child Protection Services responds to a variety of concerns about children and their families. These concerns may include possible abuse or neglect; parents who for reasons of physical or mental health, intellectual capacity or poverty are unable to care for their children; youth who are in conflict with their parents or caretakers; children or youth who may be a danger to themselves or others; and youth whose special care needs are beyond the resources of the families.
SIGNS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT:
The following Child Welfare Information Gateway websites provide helpful information with regard to recognizing the signs of abuse and neglect and how to identify child abuse. Child Welfare Information Gateway is a service of U.S. Department of Human Services, Administration for Children and Families' Children's Bureau.
The National Children's Advocacy Center also provides information on some of the more common characteristics or symptoms of children who may be victims of abuse. Please visit their website at http://www.nationalcac.org/families/for_workers/abuse_indicators.html for additional information.
REPORTING SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT:
To report suspected abuse or neglect of a child, please call the Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 720-887-2271.
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Those who report suspected abuse and neglect of children remain anonymous and are immune from any civil or criminal liability if the report is made in good faith. Colorado Revised Statute §19-3-307, requires the identity of the reporter to be protected.
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It is important that you provide as much detail as possible in your report to enable the department to assess the situation thoroughly.
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Certain persons are required by State Law to report suspected abuse and neglect of a child. For information about the professions that are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect and the penalties for failure to report, click here to view a list of frequently asked questions about Child Protection.
ASSESSMENTS:
When the division receives a report alleging concerns about children’s safety and well-being, child protection staff conduct an assessment to determine the child or children’s safety and whether or not the family is in need of services.
The caseworker visits the home to assess the child's safety as well as the well-being of the child and family. In most cases the assessment focuses primarily on assessing family needs, helping the family problem solve around immediate concerns, and arranging for services.
Safety concerns are paramount and the caseworker works with the family to develop a plan to provide individualized services to strengthen the family unit and assure safety of the child(ren). The family assessment includes determination of the need for immediate action to ensure the safety of the child(ren). If the child(ren) is deemed at immediate risk, the county may pursue a temporary placement with other relatives or foster care. Court oversight may be requested if necessary.
Based on the assessment, the family is accepted for on-going services, referred to a community agency or the case is closed if it is determined that there are no presenting safety issues.
ONGOING PROTECTIVE SERVICES:
Ongoing child protection focuses on case management, treatment and services for children and families who have been identified as being at risk for abuse and/or neglect. Caseworkers provide a variety of services focused on a child's specific case plan that respects family strengths and differences. The primary goals are to minimize risk factors to children to achieve safety within the family setting, to achieve permanency in a family setting, and to enable families to achieve safety and well being by utilizing a network of community support. Some examples of the services provided include substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and life skills education and training. Services may be provided voluntarily or may be court-ordered, if the voluntary interventions with families are not sufficient to ensure a child's safety. Services may include supervised parenting time, transportation, development of family service plans, or referral to community agencies to ensure safety and expedite permanency, support and advocacy. The Division also utilizes community partnerships to develop the client's support system.
PERMANENCY SERVICES:
The Division seeks to obtain a permanent placement in the best interest of the child in an expedited manner. The child may be placed in out-of-home placement or may remain in his/her own home. Caseworkers provide oversight for the placement plan and transition for children and youth who are not able to be reunified with their families of birth. Permanency for children outside of their own homes means that children are either placed with an adoptive family, placed into long term foster care/kinship home, or prepared for independent living through other long term goals such as emancipation. The Division partners with placement providers and other professionals involved with these children to provide a comprehensive long-term permanency plan and network of resources for the the child and his/her caretaker.
For additional information, click on the following link to view a list of Frequently Asked Questions related to Child Protection.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Colorado Department of Human Services Child Welfare Division
Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program for children
Other Child Advocacy Groups