OLYMPIA -- The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Children's Administration (CA) and the Executive Board of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC) today announced an agreement that will enhance communications between local law enforcement and Child Protective Services (CPS) workers statewide.

DSHS Secretary Robin-Arnold Williams, CA Assistant Secretary Cheryl Stephani, WASPC Executive Director Don Pierce, and representatives from local law enforcement today gathered to sign the agreement.

"Our top priority is to ensure that children are safe and in homes where they can thrive," said Arnold-Williams. "When CPS workers are considering removing a child from the home or returning a child home it’s essential we have procedures in place that promote the timely and accurate exchange of information with local law enforcement."

"We've taken the best thinking of experts statewide and recommended what a model communications protocol would look like - one that can be adapted to fit local offices," said Stephani.

The guidelines for the communication protocol were tentatively approved by the WASPC Executive Board and will be considered by the entire WASPC membership at the Fall Conference in November.

"The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs welcome this opportunity to work closely with the Children's Administration to ensure that the lines of communication between local law enforcement and CPS remain open," says Don Pierce.

In developing the communications protocol template we took into account that all jurisdictions have protocols in place that will be updated in 2008 per SHB 1333. In the interim, each CPS office will make contact with all law enforcement agencies in their jurisdictions by Monday, October 15 to discuss how to incorporate communications recommendations in day-to-day operations.

Those recommendations include:

• The protocol should establish procedures for communication between CPS and law enforcement when either agency has received a report of alleged child abuse or neglect.
• The protocol should establish the procedures for inclusion of law enforcement personnel in shared planning meetings such as Community Protection Teams (CPT), and Family Team Decision Making (FTDM) teams.
• The protocol should establish the procedure for notification to law enforcement when a child who has been placed in protective custody pursuant RCW 26.44.050 is possibly being returned to the custody of the alleged offending caregiver.

Governor Chris Gregoire last month directed DSHS to work with law enforcement representatives to outline clear communications expectations with regard to communication between caseworkers and local law enforcement. This agreement addresses:

• When law enforcement places children in protective custody and when workers return children to their parents.
• When referrals to CPS are forwarded to law enforcement.
• What historical CPS information is forwarded to law enforcement.

The guidelines, signed memo, and a photo of today's signing are attached.