The Role of
Protective Services Workers:
Children's Protective Services
In
Michigan, the Department of Human Services is responsible for investigating reports
of suspected child abuse and neglect. Michigan's Child Protection Law defines
child abuse and neglect as harm or threatened harm to a child's health or
welfare by a parent, legal guardian or any other person responsible for the
child's health or welfare.
In 88 county
and district offices, children’s protective services workers investigate
reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. The office in the child’s county
of residence investigates the report.
A preponderance
of evidence is necessary to substantiate that abuse or neglect occurred. If
abuse or neglect occurred, the agency will respond based on assessments of
safety, risk and need within the family. Michigan uses a structured decision
making system to assess child safety, risk of recurrence and family needs and
strengths. The ideal is to focus services toward improving family functioning
so children can remain safely at home. However, if a child is unsafe (and for
specific reasons specified in law), DHS will petition the family court to
intervene; the court may order the child to be removed from home and placed in
foster care.
© State of Michigan from the DHS Website