The Virginia Department of Social Services provides policy and guidance to the local departments of social services. Chapter C of the Child and Family Services Manual is specifically for the Child Protective Services (CPS) program. This guidance manual is typically updated annually to reflect changes made in the law or best practices. The most recent edition of the guidance manual is listed first. All revisions are detailed in the "Transmittal" document.
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09-2022
- Guidance CPS Manual Transmittal 304 (PDF)
- Section 01: Introduction to CPS (PDF)
- Section 02: Definitions of Abuse and Neglect (PDF)
- Section 03: Complaints and Reports (PDF)
- Section 04: Assessments and Investigations (PDF)
- Section 05: Out-of-Family Investigations (PDF)
- Section 06: Child Deaths (PDF)
- Section 07: Appeals (PDF)
- Section 08: Judicial Proceedings (PDF)
- Section 09: Confidentiality (PDF)
- Section 10: Substance-Exposed Infants (PDF)
07-2021
- Guidance CPS Manual Transmittal 295 (PDF)
- Section 01: Introduction to CPS (PDF)
- Section 02: Definitions of Abuse and Neglect (PDF)
- Section 03: Complaints and Reports (PDF)
- Section 04: Assessments and Investigations (PDF)
- Section 05: Out-of-Family Investigations (PDF)
- Section 06: Child Deaths (PDF)
- Section 07: Appeals (PDF)
- Section 08: Judicial Proceedings (PDF)
- Section 09: Confidentiality (PDF)
- Section 10: Substance-Exposed Infants (PDF)
- SDM Risk Assessment Policy (PDF)
- SDM Safety Assessment Policy (PDF)
- Virginia SDM Policy and Procedures Manual (PDF)
04-2021
- Guidance Transmittal 294 (PDF)
- Section 01: Introduction to CPS (PDF)
- Section 02: Definitions of Abuse and Neglect (PDF)
- Section 03: Complaints and Reports (PDF)
- Section 04: Assessments and Investigations (PDF)
- Section 05: Out-of-Family Investigations (PDF)
- Section 06: Child Deaths (PDF)
- Section 07: Appeals (PDF)
- Section 08: Judicial Proceedings (PDF)
- Section 09: Confidentiality (PDF)
- Section 10: Substance-Exposed Infants (PDF)
08-2020
- Guidance Transmittal 287 (PDF)
- Section 01: Introduction to CPS (PDF)
- Section 02: Definitions of Abuse and Neglect (PDF)
- Section 03: Complaints and Reports (PDF)
- Section 04: Assessments and Investigations (PDF)
- Section 05: Out-of-Family Investigations (PDF)
- Section 06: Services (PDF)
- Section 07: Appeals (PDF)
- Section 08: Judicial Proceedings (PDF)
- Section 09: Confidentiality (PDF)
- Section 10: Substance-Exposed Infants (PDF)
- Section 11: Child Deaths (PDF)
