Glossary

Child Abuse
Section B

The State of Michigan Child Protection Law, is available at:  www.michigan.gov/documents/MCWLChap1_33835_7.pdf

Children's Protective Services* investigates complaints of child abuse and/or neglect of infants through 17 year olds. Available from the Department of Human Services* - Protective Services* Division:

Children's Protective Services* investigates complaints of child abuse and/or neglect of infants through 17 year olds. Available from the Department of Human Services* - Protective Services* Division:

NOTE: Reporting your suspicion to your supervisor or administrator does not meet the requirement imposed by the law.

At the present time, Michigan Children's Protective Services* (CPS*) policy, based upon the Child Protection Law, does not define a fetus as a child. Therefore, the in-utero exposure of a fetus to drugs or alcohol is not within the authority of Children’s Protective Services. While CPS* cannot legally intervene prior to a child's birth, pregnant youth who are suspected of abusing drugs or alcohol and who are the subject of a complaint can be referred for substance abuse services and to local Maternal Infant Health programs as appropriate:

TO REFER FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES:
Community Assessment, Referral and Education* (CARE*): (586) 541-CARE (2273)

TO REFER TO THE MATERNAL INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM:
 Maternal and Infant Health Program services are specialized preventive services provided to pregnant women, mothers, and their infants who have Medicaid to help reduce infant deaths and illnesses.

Qualified Health Plus (QHPs) are required to provide Maternal and Infant Health Program services to their members when the services are determined to be medically necessary. Maternal and Infant Health Program services may require prior authorization from a QHP or its providers.

For a list of MIHP service providers, go to.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/DIR_151030_7.MSS.CBO.doc.pdf

It is the policy of the Michigan DHS* that substance abuse or addiction of the parent-caretaker or adult living in the home to alcohol or drugs does not in and of itself constitute credible evidence of abuse or neglect of the child. Parents use drugs (including legally or illegally obtained controlled drugs or other drugs) and/or alcohol to varying degrees and many remain able to care for their children without harming them.

A careful assessment needs to be made to determine whether a child is at risk. When alcohol and other drug abuse/addiction interferes with a person's ability to meet parental responsibilities and causes harm or threatened harm to the children, these failures of parental duty provide the basis for substantiating abuse.

In this case, call: Department of Human Services* - Children's Protective Services* (877) 412-6109 (Central Intake).

Drug and alcohol exposure also includes environmental exposure to drugs and alcohol. For example, cocaine/crack is being smoked in the home and the infant and/or children present are inhaling the smoke, or infants or children are given alcohol to drink or have access to alcohol or other drugs. It may also include exposure to the violent and other unhealthy environments in which drugs are commonly sold or used.

In these situations, contact Department of Human Services* - Children's Protective Services* (877) 412-6109 (Central Intake, available 24 hours)

Information (pamphlets, recommendations of videos, etc.) about child abuse and neglect is available from Care House*, 131 Market St., Mt. Clemens, MI 48043, (586) 463-0123.

Child-friendly, protective environment for the investigation and intervention of all cases of child sexual abuse reported in Macomb County. For families of children experiencing the trauma of sexual abuse, a team works together to provide consistent, non-threatening investigation. For more information, call Care House* at (586) 463-0123 (Mt. Clemens).

A Toll-free crisis intervention telephone service for any kind of parenting issue including developmental stages, discipline, child abuse, etc., call: (800) 942-HELP (942-4357)

SUMMARY OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (Adobe Acrobat format)