§3 ch4: Implementing the Written Service Agreement
Attachment E: Protective Service Alerts
A Protective Service Alert (PSA) is a notification sent out through Central Office to go statewide, to particular CD Offices, or to other states. A PSA may also be received from a child protective service agency in another state to be sent out statewide or to particular county/circuit offices. Protective Service Alerts are used to:
- Inform local CD offices or child protective service agencies in other states about past or current concerns regarding a specific family;
- To assist in locating families that CD or another protective service agency in another state has custody or involvement with; or
- To inform CD offices or child protective service agencies in other states about run away and missing children.
Protective Service Alert Guidelines:
- Discuss with direct supervisor whether a PSA is appropriate and obtain approval from Circuit Manager.
- Draft an E-mail to include:
- Identifying information including name, date of birth, and DCN number of parents, parent substitutes and children. (Do not include social security numbers)
- Nature of Concern including:
- Brief description of current concerns (unable to locate family, child has runaway, family reportedly left the state…etc)
- Brief history (History of running away, frequent relocation, do not include history of drug use or treatment, protected health information…etc)
- Description of the child(ren)
- Description of vehicle (if applicable)
- Last known address or location
- Possible whereabouts or destination
- Custody status (CD custody, pick up orders…etc.)
- What agencies have been alerted (Other county offices, other state agencies, juvenile office, law enforcement…etc.)
- Contact Information: Worker and Supervisor contact information including county address and telephone number.
- Include a confidentiality statement. (See Sample below)
- Attach image file of the subject child(ren) (Optional). See below: Attaching Image Files to a Protective Service Alert
- Send protective service alert E-mail information to “DSS.CD.PSA@dss.mo.gov” to be sent state-wide or to other state child protective agencies.
- Specify particular out-of-state child protection agencies that need to be alerted.
- Questions regarding the content of the alert or the process may be directed to (573) 751-2427.
- For missing or abducted children, repeat every 90 days until child is recovered.
- Send follow up E-mail to “DSS.CD.PSA@dss.mo.gov” to rescind the protective service alert if the circumstances no longer warrant an alert.
Sample Protective Service Alert Format:
| Identifying Information: | ||
| Mother: First & Last Name | DOB 00/00/00 | DCN 00000000 |
| Parent/Parent Substitute: First & Last Name | DOB 00/00/00 | DCN 00000000 |
| Child: First & Last Name | DOB 00/00/00 | DCN 00000000 |
| Child: First & Last Name | DOB 00/00/00 | DCN 00000000 |
(Do not include social security numbers) |
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Nature of Concern: Brief description of current concerns (unable to locate family, child has runaway, family reportedly left the state…etc) Description of the child(ren) |
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If you have any information, please contact: First & Last Name, Children’s Service Worker |
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(Include Confidentiality Statement) Confidentiality Notice: This electronic communication is from the Missouri Department of Social Services, Children’s Division, and is only intended for its addressee. This communication may contain information that is privileged, confidential or otherwise protected from disclosure by law and/or DSS policy. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agency responsible for delivering this information to its recipient, do not copy, circulate, forward or otherwise disclose this document. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately by return email. |
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Attaching Image Files to a Protective Service Alert
One option to sending out a protective service alert is to attach an image file of the subject child (pdf, jpg, gif.etc). The decision to attach an image file should be made on a case by case basis taking into consideration the following:
- The image must be appropriate. Staff should consider if the child in the image is wearing appropriate clothing or making appropriate gestures...etc.
- The image must be a reasonable likeness of the child. The image should be a recent image; changes in hair color or style; the additional or absence of facial hair; or other changes in appearance may make the image unusable.
- The image must be of reasonable quality.
- Staff must have supervisory approval.
- Staff must have permission from the court that has jurisdiction of the child. The court may give approval on a one time only basis or may reach an agreement with the Division to give blanket approval for attaching images as standard procedure for all children in the jurisdiction of that circuit.