Child Protection Branch

The Child Protection Branch provides consultation and state program guidance for child protective services cases. Central office staff helps develop standards of practice for inclusion in the state manual and provides real-time guidance to cases as required by field personnel.

Programs and Services

Child and Family Services Plan

KY Safe Infants Act

Sobriety Treatment and Recovery Team (START)

Who should report suspected abuse or neglect of a child?

KRS 620.030(1) - Anyone with a reasonable suspicion that a child is dependent, abused or neglected is rquried to make a report to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

What information does the intake worker need from the reporter?

The following basic information is requested:

The child's name, sex and approximate age
The name of the person believed to have been responsible for the abuse or neglect
A description of the injury, neglect or threatened harm to the child
The current location of the child such as day care, school or home address
Any immediate risk to the child or a worker going out to ensure the child's safety (i.e., guns)
The reporter's name and identifying information if the caller wishes to give that information. Anonymous reports are accepted and investigated.

Legal Protection for Reporting Sources.

KRS 620.050(1) Good Faith Immunity
KRS 620.050(11) Confidentiality.

Can an investigative worker interview a child without the parent's consent?

KRS 620.072 - A school or childcare provider shall provide access to the child without parental consent.

Can a social worker just take a child out of the home?

No. Only the police have that authority if they feel that a child is in imminent danger. A judge can issue an emergency custody order (ECO) for a child to be picked up and held for 72 hours before a hearing. KRS 620.040(3)(b) allows a hospital administrator or a physician treating a child to hold that child without a court order but they must request an ECO within 72 hours.

I suspect my neighbor is harming their children - what should I do?

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please contact the statewide Child Abuse Hotline toll free at (877) 597-2331 to make a report. You also may go online to the Child Reporting System Monday-Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern time to make a report.

If I report someone for child abuse, do I have to give my name?

KRS 620.050(1) Good Faith Immunity
KRS 620.050(11) Confidentiality

What happens to children who are being abused if it is reported?

Reports are investigated by DCBS. Based on information obtained during the investigation, services may be offered to maintain the family. Children are removed only if the home is unsafe.

Report Child Abuse/Neglect
To report child abuse and neglect call toll-free any of the numbers listed below.
(877) 597-2331/(877) KYSAFE1
(800) 752-6200
Report Online - non-emergency only
Monitored from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Reports will not be reviewed during evenings, weekends or state holidays.
Call 911 in case of an emergency

For information regarding reporting standards and investigation protocol, please review the Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Booklet.