Child Protective Services are available throughout the National Capital Region.
Anyone may report suspected child maltreatment to local departments of
social services or a statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 24 hours
per day, seven days a week (see contacts/links).
The goal of Child Protective Services (CPS) is to identify, assess and
provide services to children and families in an effort to protect
children, preserve families, whenever possible, and prevent further
maltreatment. Child Protective Services is non-punitive in
its approach and is directed toward enabling families to provide
adequate care for their children.
Local departments of social services are responsible for receiving
reports of abuse and neglect; conducting investigations to determine
the validity of the CPS reports; and providing services that enhance
child safety and prevent further abuse and neglect to families and
children.
CPS is a unit within the a state's Division Family Services. Among the
duties of this unit are the development of statewide public awareness
and education programs; the administration of state and federal grants
to prevent abuse and neglect; and to maintain a statewide database for
child abuse and neglect.