Foster Hope
Foster or Adopt a child

Core Functions

Core functions provided by the Safe Children Coalition are:

  • Case Management
  • Foster Care
  • Adoptions
  • Independent Living
  • Prevention-Diversion
  • Quality management &
    Training
  • Community & Client
    Relations
  • Data Services & Client
    Records

Tip of the Week

Child Allegations Matrix 05-18-12

The purpose of the child allegation matrix is to guide Florida Abuse Hotline (FAH) counselors and field investigation staff in determining which situations are appropriate for accepting an intake for investigation, which factors must be considered in making that determination and in conducting an investigation, as well as what documentation is needed to “Verify” each specific maltreatment.

The child allegation matrix incorporates the mandates of state law, administrative rules, operating procedures and recognized best practices as they relate to the receipt of and response to reports of child abuse, neglect, and abandonment. The allegation-based system allows each specific type of abuse and neglect to be defined clearly and treated consistently throughout the state. The objective is to improve the consistency of judgments made by FAH counselors and by investigators when dealing with similar allegations of harm or threatened harm. Improved consistency helps to ensure individuals are treated with fairness throughout the reporting and investigative process. Clear definitions also reduce confusion and allow for greater confidence when making determination decisions.

Upon completion of the investigation, investigators will reach a determination regarding each of the alleged maltreatments. This determination will be based upon whether information gathered from interviews, records reviews, and observations during the investigation constitute credible evidence that indicators of child abuse or neglect are present. The findings are entered into the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) as follows:

VERIFIED:  This finding is used when a preponderance of the evidence results in a determination that the specific harm or threat was the result of abuse or neglect.

NOT SUBSTANTIATED:  This finding is used when there is credible evidence, which does not meet the standard of being a preponderance, to support that the specific harm was the result of abuse or neglect.

NO INDICATION:  This finding is used when there is no credible evidence to support the allegations of abuse, neglect, or threatened harm.

There are 20 possible maltreatments that can be assigned to an intake; each intake of abuse or neglect must contain at least one of the following maltreatments:   Abandonment, Asphyxiation, Bizarre Punishment, Bone Fracture, Burns, Death, Environmental Hazards, Human Trafficking, Inadequate Supervision, Internal Injuries, Malnutrition/Dehydration, Medical Neglect, Mental Injury, Physical Injury, Failure to Protect, Failure to Thrive, Family Violence Threatens Child, Sexual Abuse, Substance Misuse, and Threatened Harm.

There is no limit as to how many maltreatments may be included on an intake, as long as each one is justified by the allegation narrative.  No call to the Hotline is necessary to add maltreatments, except for “Death.”