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Anniversary of CCOB
Assessor
Attorney
Brunner Farmhouse
Central Records - Marriage Certificates
Central Records - Recording
Community Development - Building
Community Development - Engineering
Community Development - Planning
Court Security
Court Services
General FAQs
HHS - Care Assistance Program
HHS - Child Protection
HHS - Family and Children Services
HHS - Foster Care / Kinship
HHS - Foster Care and Adoption
Historic Preservation
Housing Authority
Human Resources
Human Resources - Insurance
Human Resources - Leave
Human Resources - LIFE, AD&D, LTD
Human Resources - PMPP
Human Resources - WC
LookOutAlert
Motor Vehicles
New FAQ
Open Space and Trails
Police
Police - Animal Services
Police - Civil Unit
Police - Code Compliance
Police - Electrical Assisted Bicycles
Police - Electrical Personal Assistive Mobility Device
Police - Emergency Alerts
Police - Golf Cars
Police - Investigations
Police - Low-Power Scooters
Police - Low-Speed Electric Vehicles
Police - Motorcycles/Scooter 50 cc and Over
Police - Off Highway Vehicles
Police - Records
Police - Recruitment
Police - Sex Offender Registry
Police - Toy Vehicles
Police - Victim Services
Police - Wheelchairs
Public Trustee
Public Works
Public Works - Drinking Water
Public Works - Environment
Public Works - Household Hazardous Waste
Public Works - Park Services
Public Works - Recycling
Public Works - Street Maintenance
Public Works - Utility Maintenance
Public Works - Water Quality
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HHS - Child Protection
Show All Answers
1.
At what age is it appropriate to leave my child at home alone?
The Colorado Department of Human Services provides
helpful guidance for parents
related to this topic on their website.
The answer to this question depends upon the situation and the maturity of the child. Colorado in general has accepted the age of 12 as a guideline for when it may be appropriate for a child to be left at home alone for short periods of time.
2.
What constitutes child abuse and/or neglect?
"Abuse" or "child abuse or neglect" is defined in Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S) § 19-1-103. Child abuse or neglect means an act or omission in one of the following categories that threatens the health or welfare of a child:
Any case in which a child exhibits evidence of skin bruising, bleeding, malnutrition, failure to thrive, burns, fracture of any bone, subdural hematoma, soft tissue swelling or death and either:
Such condition or death is not justifiably explained; the history given concerning such condition is at variance with the degree or type of such condition or death
Circumstances indicate that such condition may not be the product of an accidental occurrence
Any case in which a child is subjected to unlawful sexual behavior as defined in section 16-22-102 (9), C.R.S.
Any case in which a child is a child in need of services because the child's parents, legal guardian or custodian fails to take the same actions to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, medical care or supervision that a prudent parent would take
Any case in which a child is subjected to emotional abuse. Emotional abuse in this section means identifiable and substantial impairment of the child's intellectual or psychological functioning or development or a substantial risk of impairment of the child's intellectual or psychological functioning or development
Any case in which, in the presence of a child, or on the premises where a child is found, or where a child resides, a controlled substance (defined in C.R.S. 18-18-102 (5)) is manufactured or attempted to be manufactured
Any case in which a child tests positive at birth for either a schedule-I controlled substance, as defined in section 18-18-204, C.R.S., unless the child tests positive for a schedule-II controlled substance as a result of the mother's lawful intake of such substance as prescribed
For additional information about how to identify child abuse, please visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway website, a service of U.S. Department of Human Services,
Administration for Children and Families' Children's Bureau
.
If you suspect that a child is being harmed, you should report your concerns by calling the Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 720.887.2271.
3.
Is homelessness a reason to remove a child from his or her parents?
Homelessness, in and of itself, does not constitute child abuse and is therefore not a basis for child protection intervention as long as the parent continues to provide the necessary shelter, food, clothing, medical care and educational attention the child needs.
4.
If I make a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, will my identity be protected?
Those who report suspected abuse and neglect of children remain anonymous and are immune from any civil or criminal liability if the report is made in good faith. Colorado Revised Statute §19-3-307, requires the identity of the reporter to be protected.
5.
Can I make an anonymous report of child abuse or neglect?
Anonymous calls are accepted and regarded as credible unless further investigation proves otherwise; however, the identity of the caller, even if known, will not be revealed to the family who may be the subject of the allegation. It is critical that the person making the report provide as much information as possible; however, to enable the department to assess the situation thoroughly.
6.
What persons are mandated by the state to report suspected child abuse or neglect and what are the penalties for failure to report?
Colorado Revised Statute §19-3-304 requires the following persons (based on profession) to report suspected child abuse or neglect:
Physicians, surgeons, physicians in training, child health associates, medical examiners, coroners, dentists, osteopaths, optometrists, chiropractors, podiatrists, nurses, hospital personnel, dental hygienists, physical therapists, pharmacists and registered dieticians
Public or private school officials or employees
Social workers, Christian Science practitioners, mental health professionals, psychologists, professional counselors and marriage and family therapists
Veterinarians, peace officers, firefighters or victim's advocates
Commercial film and photographic print processors
Counselors, marriage and family therapists and psychotherapists
Clergy members, including:
Priests
Rabbis
Duly ordained, commissioned, or licensed ministers of a church
Members of religious orders
Recognized leaders of any religious bodies
Workers in the state department of human services
Commercial film and photographic print processors when they have knowledge of or observe any film, photograph, videotape, negative or slide depicting a child engaged in an act of sexual conduct.
These persons are required to make a report:
When they have reasonable cause to know or suspect child abuse or neglect
When they have observed a child being subjected to circumstances or conditions that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect
Any mandatory reporter who willfully fails to report as required by § 19-3-304(1): Commits a Class 3 misdemeanor, shall be punished as provided by law, and shall be liable for damages proximately caused.
7.
When would it be necessary to remove a child from his or her home?
The Department's goal is to maintain children
safely
in their own homes; however, the
safety of the child is our primary goal
. The Department provides protective services to families to help prevent abuse and neglect and links them to resources to help them become nurturing caregivers to their children. However, if the department determines through thorough assessments and investigations that the safety of the child is in danger if the child remains in his / her own home, the child will be placed in another home. There are a number of options for placement of a child, including with another relative or into foster care.
8.
What is a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)?
Court-Appointed Special Advocates are volunteers who are trained and supervised by the non-profit organization, CASA, to represent the best interests of children who are the victims of physical, sexual or emotional abuse and neglect. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to be a voice for these children in court.
The desired result is that children are placed into safe, loving homes where they can thrive. These volunteers are sworn in as officers of the court, and provide pertinent information to the judge so that important decisions can be made regarding the child's educational and health related needs, therapy, visitation and ultimately permanency.
These advocates:
Review the child's records
Interview parents, foster parents, teachers and relatives
Meet with the child regularly
Prepare reports
Make recommendations
Ensure that the child's educational needs are met
9.
What is a guardian ad litem?
A
guardian ad litem
is an attorney who is appointed by the court to represent the interests of a child or children in a family that is under court-ordered protective services. This attorney will be present at each court hearing and makes recommendations to the court regarding the case plan and progress in each case. The attorney is paid by the court and is independent and autonomous from the parent and the Health and Human Services Department.
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