1. (a) The FSW will:

   1. (1)

      1. (A) Prepare for interviews by reviewing intake report and any prior child maltreatment reports, etc.
      2. (B) See “Gathering Information” practice guide series for more information;

   2. (2)

      1. (A) Conduct a separate interview with the alleged victim outside the presence of the alleged offender and the alleged offender’s attorney in reports involving both in-home and out-of-home offenders.
      2. (B) Exceptions must be approved by a supervisor.
      3. (C) If not age appropriate for an interview, observe alleged victim outside the presence of the alleged offender and the alleged offender’s attorney;

   3. (3)

      1. (A) Interview any siblings of the alleged victim and any other children under the care of the alleged offender (including during investigations with alleged out-of-home offenders) as the siblings and other children under the care of the alleged offender may have collateral information or have been within access of the alleged offender.
      2. (B) Exceptions must be approved by a supervisor.
      3. (C)

2. (i) Interview all siblings and other children under the care of the alleged offender outside the presence of the alleged offender and the alleged offender’s attorney.

   1. (ii) If not age appropriate for an interview, observe all siblings and other children under the care of the alleged offender outside the presence of the alleged offender and the offender’s attorney.

      1. (D) Considering the best interest of the child, limit, as appropriate, other persons allowed to be present when a child is interviewed concerning allegations of child maltreatment;

   2. (4)

      1. (A) Conduct a cursory physical examination of children in the least invasive manner possible during the interview.
      2. (B) A cursory physical examination is the observation of a child’s external, physical condition which may require that the child’s clothing be removed or rearranged.
      3. (C) If the child is under the age of five (5), conduct the exam with the assistance of the parent/caretaker;
   3. (5) Complete CFS-327a: Physical Documentation – Body Diagram when applicable and if a medical provider has not already completed CFS-327a or similar diagram specific to the current allegation;
   4. (6) Photograph visible injuries and label and date photos;
   5. (7) Interview the custodial and noncustodial parent of the alleged victim child and inform them of the Division of Children and Family Services responsibility to assess;

   6. (8)

      1. (A) Interview alleged offender.

      2. (B) In addition to gathering information about the alleged maltreatment, ascertain the alleged offender’s:

         1. (i) Employer, including the physical address;
         2. (ii) Job duties at place of employment; and
         3. (iii) Supervisor’s name;
   7. (9) Interview collateral sources, as appropriate, including teachers, neighbors, witnesses, and the person making the report;
   8. (10) When interviewing a child at school, provide the principal or designee with a copy of CFS-213-A: School District Prohibition from Notifying Parent, Guardian, or Custodian of a Child Maltreatment Investigation;
   9. (11) Enter interview notes within two (2) business days of completion of interviews;
   10. (12) If it is discovered that any interviewee is an unlicensed childcare provider (i.e., caring for more than five (5) children including an individual’s own preschool children), notify the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education;

   11. (13)

       1. (A) Assist the investigative supervisor with the coordination of interviews when primary (i.e., where the child is currently located) and secondary counties are involved.

       2. (B) The FSW of the primary county will:

          1. (i) Interview all applicable subjects in his or her county within required timeframes; and
          2. (ii) Complete the Division of Children and Family Services’ approved safety assessment in the applicable information system with information obtained during primary investigator interviews and information obtained from secondary investigator from secondary’s interviews.

       3. (C) The FSW of the secondary county will:

          1. (i) Contact the primary county by phone no later than twenty-four (24) hours after interviews are conducted to discuss:
3. (a) (a) Any identified safety threats and supporting documentation (examples include, but are not limited to, statements made by children, observations of children, or caregiver statements);

4. (b) (b) Determination of any additional children, elderly persons, or individuals with a disability or mental illness who may be at risk;

   1. (c) (c) Provisions of the protection plan if one has been implemented;

      1. (d) (d) Other persons interviewed, their relationship to the family, and how information provided was obtained (such as, first-hand, hearsay, or investigator observations);
5. (e) (e) Verification of identity of persons interviewed; and

6. (f) (f) Projected completion date for secondary investigation if it is not completed at time of phone conference; and

   1. (ii) Forward any hard copy information to the primary investigator within seventy-two (72) hours after receipt;
   2. (14) Reinitiate the investigation in the second county within twenty-four to seventy-two (24 – 72) hours when an investigation is transferred from one county to another and the victim or any other children believed to reside in the home where the report originated have not been seen; and
   3. (15) Complete and document all interviews in the Division of Children and Family Services’ information management system within thirty (30) calendar days of the receipt of the child maltreatment report.

7. (b) If any parties required to be interviewed (parents, children, alleged victim child, or alleged perpetrator) cannot be located or are unable to communicate, the FSW will, after exercising due diligence:

   1. (1) Document efforts to locate or communicate with required parties; and

   2. (2) Proceed with the child maltreatment investigation.

      1. (c) The Investigative Supervisor will:

   3. (1)

      1. (A) Take the lead in coordinating the investigation when multiple counties are involved.

      2. (B) If a secondary assignment is required, complete as soon as possible but no later than twenty-four (24) hours after receipt of referral the summary section in the Division of Children and Family Services information system’s assignment screens describing:

         1. (i) The reason or reasons for the request;
         2. (ii) Any special instructions; and
         3. (iii) Updated locations and telephone numbers of subjects to be seen.
      3. (C) Forward the request to the appropriate investigative team.

      4. (D) Verbally alert the receiving team supervisor of the secondary investigation request to:

         1. (i) Verify receipt of report when a secondary team investigator will initiate the investigations;
         2. (ii) Clarify any issues involving the secondary investigation request; and
         3. (iii) Coordinate team responsibilities with the prosecuting attorney, law enforcement, and hospital staff, as applicable;
   4. (2) Participate in phone conferences with primary and secondary investigators and any other staff involved in the investigation, as applicable;
   5. (3) Conference with the FSW Investigator and any other staff involved from other counties as appropriate and document any consultations in the Division of Children and Family Services information system; and
   6. (4) Ensure that counties otherwise communicate and complete the investigation within forty-five (45) calendar days.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: "02/2025"