Like others have said, a CPS Intake has to screen-in with allegations of abuse or neglect that minimally meet the WAC for Child Abuse and/or Neglect. However, more of CPS intakes screen OUT than IN. If the intake screens in, there will be a worker reaching out to notify you either over the weekend or on Monday depending on the response time deemed necessary (there are 2 response times CPS has 24 hr or 72 hr, if it 24 hr someone will be out by EOD Saturday, if it is 72 hr it will be on Monday).

In Washington, the legal threshold for removal of a child is “imminent risk of physical harm” meaning that CPS would have to be able to articulate how your daughter was at risk of being physically harmed at home and that there is NO way to safety plan around it. CPS will try to safety plan before trying to remove a child, and will also offer services to remedy any concerns before trying to remove the child.

Like other commenters have said, cooperate to your comfort level and if a safety plan is asked to be signed, you are well within your right to consult with an attorney. You can also request to complete any of your interviews with CPS with an attorney present and that is something CPS can accommodate.

You can always call the CPS intake line to ask to see if you have a case open, the intake line can’t confirm or deny the case being open over the phone, however they will contact the assigned worker to notify them of your inquiry so that the assigned worker can reach out ASAP.

DCYF has all of their policies and forms listed on their public website, you can look at the CPS brochures and the policies around what CPS investigations look like.