When a report is investigated the social worker uses a series of decision making tools to help determine whether the state mandated criteria of child abuse or neglect and how quickly the social worker needs to respond to the report if the report does meet this criteria.  Information obtained during the course of investigating reports of abuse or neglect is used to determine what path to take with the family.   Families FCPS comes in contact with may be experiencing a range of problems or stressors, from mild to serious.  If the concerns are mild, and the family is seeking assistance they may be referred for community services to help with the areas of concern without any further involvement with FCPS.  More serious concerns may require a voluntary or Court ordered case plans outlining services designed to improve the children’s circumstances.  A risk and safety assessment is done to determine whether the children should remain in the home while services are completed.  If out of home care is indicated, a recommendation (for foster or relative care) is made to the Lassen County Superior Court where the presiding judge makes a decision about out of home care.    

It is the Departments first choice to leave the children in the home, if this can be done in a way that ensures the child’s safety and well being.  Community partners are critical to providing families with the support necessary to have this assurance.  The Pathways Home Visiting Program is an important part of this network of support.   Pathways is implementing a school readiness home visiting program which is funded by First 5 Lassen.  The program is designed to provide information, support, and encouragement to parents so the parents can help their children have the best start in the critical developmental stage of early childhood.  The program uses an evidenced based curriculum to guide their services to children and their families and is based on the belief that parents are their children’s first, and most influential, teachers.

 Program goals include:

• Increase parent knowledge of early childhood development and improve parenting practices.
• Provide early detection of developmental delays and health issues.
• Prevent child abuse and neglect.
• Increase children’s school readiness and school success.

These goals are achieved with visits to the home; group meetings, periodic medical and developmental screenings, and helping the family access other community services. Families who are the subject of suspected child abuse reports who choose to participate in the Pathways Home Visiting Program before child/abuse and maltreatment concerns become more serious often avoid more serious intervention by the Department of Family and Children Protective Services.  Pathways home visitors also assist families whose stressors have already become serious to improve their situation.  The Home Visiting Program is a critical part of Lassen County Family and Children Protective Services partnering with the community to help families and children.