Social Work Services: Child Protective Services (CPS)

The goal of Child Protective Services (CPS) is to:

• provide specialized services to protect children from abuse and neglect
• preserve families whenever possible
• and prevent further maltreatment of a child or children.

The Suffolk Department of Social Services and all local departments of social services are responsible for receiving reports/complaints of suspected child abuse and neglect, determining if the CPS reports are valid, conducting family assessments or investigations to determine if the valid allegation is founded or unfounded and providing services that enhance child safety and prevent further abuse and neglect to families and children.

What makes a CPS report valid?

In order for a CPS complaint to be valid four (4) criteria must be met. The four criteria are as follows:

1. The alleged victim child or children are under the age of 18 at the time of the
   report.
2. The alleged abuser is the alleged victim child's parent or someone in a
   caretaker role.
3. The local department receiving the report is where the child resides. If not, the
   report should be transferred to the correct locality by the local department.
4. The report describes an incidence of abuse and/or neglect (e.g. Physical Abuse,
   Physical Neglect, Mental Abuse or Neglect, Medical Neglect, and Sexual Abuse.)

How do I make a report?

If you suspect that the abuse and/or neglect of a child has occurred or is occurring, even if you are uncertain about the criteria, it is always best to make a report Mon. - Fri. between the hours of 8:30am – 5:00pm to the Suffolk Department of Social Services CPS Hotline number 757-514-7458, or the State CPS Hotline number 1-800-552-7096 before or after working hours, weekends and holidays. The State CPS Hotline number is accessible 24 hours per day and 365 days per year. If you are out of state, the State CPS Hotline number to call is 804-786-8536.

You may also make a CPS report in person by visiting the Suffolk Department of Social Services located at 135 Hall Avenue, Suite B in Suffolk, VA 23434, or you may mail a letter to the Suffolk Department of Social Services at P.O. Box 1818 Suffolk, VA 23439.

In the case of any emergency, please dial 911.

Can I make an anonymous report?

Yes. Reports or complaints alleging abuse or neglect may be made anonymously and the local department cannot require the individual to reveal his or her identity as a condition of accepting the report. Suffolk DSS does suggest leaving a call back number just in case more information is needed – but this is not mandatory.

Related Resources

Virginia State Department of Social Services
Prevent Child Abuse Virginia
Healthy Families
Kids Priority One
Administration for Children & Families
Child Welfare Info Gateway
Child Welfare League of America