Six Domains/Associated Threats and Protective Capacities

The impending danger threats correspond with specific domains, meaning the identification of a threat should be factually supported within the associated domain. Also, each threat has Caregiver Protective Capacities (CPCs) which are associated with the threat. These should be factually supported through the information collection within the domains.

Extent of Maltreatment & Nature of Maltreatment

Parent’s/Legal Guardian’s or Caregiver’s intentional and willful act caused serious physical injury to the child, or the parent/legal guardian or caregiver intended to seriously injure the child.

Associated CPCs:

Parent/legal guardian or caregiver…

  • Demonstrates impulse control.
  • Takes action.
  • Sets aside own needs in favor of a child.
  • Demonstrates adequate skill to fulfill caregiving responsibilities.
  • Is adaptive as a caregiver.
  • Has a history of protecting.
  • Is self-aware as a caregiver.
  • Is intellectually able and/or capable.
  • Recognizes and understands threats to the child.
  • Recognizes the child’s needs.
  • Understands their protective role.
  • Plans and is able to articulate a plan to protect children.
  • Is able to meet own emotional needs.
  • Is resilient as a caregiver.
  • Is stable and able to intervene to protect children.

Child has a serious illness or injury (indicative of child abuse) that is unexplained, or the Parent’s/Legal Guardian’s or Caregiver’s explanations are inconsistent with the illness or injury.

Generally this will be a danger threat used only at present danger. Through the information collection, it will be determined if other impending danger threats exists.

The child’s physical living conditions are hazardous and a child has already been seriously injured or will likely be seriously injured. The living conditions seriously endanger the child’s physical health.

Associated CPCs:

Parent/legal guardian or caregiver…

  • Takes action.
  • Demonstrates adequate skill to fulfill caregiving responsibilities.
  • Recognizes and understands threats to the child.
  • Is resilient as a caregiver.

Extent of Maltreatment & Nature of Maltreatment (cont.)

There are reports of serious harm and the child’s whereabouts cannot be determined and/or there is a reason to believe that the family is about to flee to avoid agency intervention and/or the family refuses access to the child to assess for serious harm.

Generally this will be a danger threat used only at present danger. Through the information collection, it will be determined if other impending danger threats exists.

Parent/Legal Guardian or Caregiver is not meeting the child’s essential medical needs AND the child is has already been seriously harmed or will likely be serious harmed.

Associated CPCs:

Parent/legal guardian or caregiver…

  • Takes action.
  • Sets aside own needs in favor of a child.
  • Demonstrates adequate skill to fulfill caregiving responsibilities.
  • Is adaptive as a caregiver.
  • Has a history of protecting.
  • Is self-aware as a caregiver.
  • Is intellectually able and/or capable.
  • Recognizes and understands threats to the child.
  • Recognizes the child’s needs.
  • Understands their protective role.
  • Is resilient as a caregiver.
  • Is tolerant as a caregiver.
  • Is positively attached to the child.
  • Is supportive and aligned with the child.

Child Functioning

Child shows serious emotional symptoms requiring intervention and/or lacks behavioral control and/or exhibits self-destructive behavior that the Parent/Legal Guardian or Caregiver are unwilling or unable to manage to keep the child safe.

Associated CPCs:

Parent/legal guardian or caregiver…

  • Is self-aware as a caregiver.
  • Recognizes and understands threats to the child.
  • Recognizes the child’s needs.
  • Understands their protective role.
  • Is resilient as a caregiver.
  • Is tolerant as a caregiver.
  • Expresses love, empathy and sensitivity toward the child.
  • Is stable and able to intervene to protect the child.
  • Is positively attached to the child.
  • Is supportive and aligned with the child.

Adult Functioning

Parent/Legal Guardian or Caregiver is violent, impulsive, cannot or will not control behavior or is acting dangerously in ways that have seriously harmed the child or will likely seriously harm to the child.

Associated CPCs:

Parent/legal guardian or caregiver…

  • Demonstrates impulse control.
  • Takes action.
  • Sets aside own needs in favor of a child.
  • Demonstrates adequate skill to fulfill caregiving responsibilities.
  • Is adaptive as a caregiver.
  • Is self-aware as a caregiver.
  • Recognizes and understands threats to the child.
  • Understands their protective role.
  • Is tolerant as a caregiver.
  • Expresses love, empathy and sensitivity toward the child.
  • Is positively attached to the child.
  • Is supportive and aligned with the child.

ParentingGeneral & Discipline

Parent/Legal Guardian or Caregiver is not meeting child’s basic and essential needs for food, clothing, and/or supervision AND the child is/has already been seriously harmed or will likely be seriously harmed.

Associated CPCs:

Parent/legal guardian or caregiver…

  • Takes action.
  • Sets aside own needs in favor of a child.
  • Demonstrates adequate skill to fulfill caregiving responsibilities.
  • Is adaptive as a caregiver.
  • Has a history of protecting.
  • Is self-aware as a caregiver.
  • Is intellectually able and/or capable.
  • Recognizes and understands threats to the child.
  • Recognizes the child’s needs.
  • Understands their protective role.
  • Is resilient as a caregiver.
  • Is tolerant as a caregiver.
  • Is positively attached to the child.
  • Is supportive and aligned with the child.

Parenting General & Discipline (cont.)

Parent/Legal Guardian or Caregiver is threatening to seriously harm the child and/or parent/legal guardian or caregiver is fearful he/she will seriously harm the child.

Associated CPCs:

Parent/legal guardian or caregiver…

  • Demonstrates impulse control.
  • Takes action.
  • Sets aside own needs in favor of a child.
  • Is adaptive as a caregiver.
  • Has a history of protecting.
  • Is self-aware as a caregiver.
  • Recognizes and understands threats to the child.
  • Recognizes the child’s needs.
  • Understands their protective role.
  • Plans and is able to articulate a plan to protect the child.
  • Is able to meet own emotional needs.
  • Is resilient as a caregiver.
  • Is tolerant as a caregiver.
  • Expresses love, empathy and sensitivity toward the child.
  • Is stable and able to intervene to protect the child.
  • Is positively attached to the child.
  • Is supportive and aligned with the child.

Parent/Legal Guardian or Caregiver views child and/or acts toward the child in extremely negative ways AND parent/legal guardian or caregiver behavior is indicative of the child being seriously harmed emotionally and/or the child has been seriously harmed or will likely be seriously harmed.

Associated CPCs:

Parent/legal guardian or caregiver…

  • Is self-aware as a caregiver.
  • Recognizes and understands threats to the child.
  • Recognizes the child’s needs.
  • Understands their protective role.
  • Is resilient as a caregiver.
  • Is tolerant as a caregiver.
  • Expresses love, empathy and sensitivity toward the child.
  • Is stable and able to intervene to protect the child.
  • Is positively attached to the child.
  • Is supportive and aligned with the child.

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