Access Response Time Pilot — Updates

Have you heard the buzz? 11 child protective services (CPS) agencies have been testing a new way of determining response times for screened-in reports at Access. This new approach to response time decision-making:

• Makes this decision point simpler and more straightforward.
• Gives Initial Assessment (IA) professionals the chance to meet with families before safety threats are identified.
• Is increasing consistency in response time assignments across pilot agencies.

The pilot does not change the screening decision, and the data is showing no change to the proportion of safety findings or cases that formally open at the end of an IA. However, pilot agencies overwhelmingly report positive impacts on the workforce and are seeing benefits to family engagement. Pilot agencies still respond quickly, whenever needed; however, the new method allows IA professionals more time, when appropriate, to plan the first face-to-face.

See what participating agencies are saying about the Access Response Time Pilot, check out this document to learn more, and stay tuned to the Putting Families First Newsletter for future updates!