need assistance with obtaining FL CPS report..

[necessary evil]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida

Hi!

Can anyone tell me who to contact to obtain a copy of a CPS report between Alachua and Pasco counties? I've tried to contact the CPS investigator in Pasco county, but I keep getting the run around and am transferred from person to person with no answers. When I contacted Alachua county sheriff's office, they referred me back to Pasco county. The only other contact number I can find is the Florida abuse hotline, and I don't want to call that number for information.. it just seems like the wrong number to call.

 

[bononos again]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida

Hi!

Can anyone tell me who to contact to obtain a copy of a CPS report between Alachua and Pasco counties? I've tried to contact the CPS investigator in Pasco county, but I keep getting the run around and am transferred from person to person with no answers. When I contacted Alachua county sheriff's office, they referred me back to Pasco county. The only other contact number I can find is the Florida abuse hotline, and I don't want to call that number for information.. it just seems like the wrong number to call.

Federal Confidentiality Requirements

Provisions governing confidentiality and sharing information in the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) guide state legislation. In order for states to receive federal funding for their child abuse programs, CAPTA requires that states maintain the confidentiality of CPS records. In 1996, CAPTA was reauthorized and the confidentiality provisions were made more specific. CAPTA requires states to enact legislation authorizing disclosure of confidential information, with provisions to protect the identities of children and families, to:

Persons who are subjects of reports,
Federal, state and local government entities that need the information to carry out their work to protect and treat children,
The public, in cases of a child fatality or near fatality,
Child abuse citizen review panels (panels are not allowed to release identifying information, but the state has the option of deciding what types of information may be made public),
Child fatality review panels,
A grand jury or a court,
Other entities specifically authorized by the legislature and placed in statute.
The federal law requires that recipients of information maintain confidentiality by not redisclosing information to others. States may, but are not required to, disclose the identity of those who report child abuse. Finally, states are required to expunge records of unsubstantiated or false reports that are accessible to the public or that are used for employment screening or background checks.

 

[necessary evil]

CAPTA requires states to enact legislation authorizing disclosure of confidential information, with provisions to protect the identities of children and families, to:

Persons who are subjects of reports

Myself, my child, and my ex-husband are subjects of said report.

 

[bononos again]

Myself, my child, and my ex-husband are subjects of said report.

They are confidential records.

 

[necessary evil]

They are confidential records.

Oh. Okay, then. (*kicks can with hands in pockets*) I wonder why the investigator who came to my home told me that I had right to the reports? She suggested that I obtain a copy and file for a modification of custody/visitation.

I appreciate your help, Bononos.

 

[CdwJava]

How it works out here is that while the court can obtain a copy, the parties are generally not going to be able to get a copy themselves absent a court order.

If FL law allows you to have a copy of some report (maybe a summary disposition) then, perhaps, you should contact that investigator and ask him how you do it.

- Carl

 

[outhouse]

In nor Ca, you can go to the county council [cps should give you there phone #] and request a copy of the report. I got mine no problem.

you are not allowed to disseminate any part of the report, this meens you cant even show your mother, police, DA no one.

If its needed for court, I had to go to juvinille hall where they handle court records file 7 pages of request forms [last year it was one] then it goes before a judge and he approves or denies the request. if he denies it a court hearing is set for your last chance to fight it. For family court my report was sent straight to the judge in camera. [only the judge will view the information]

Juvy court clerks told me judges do not want fishing expeditions.

this is all based from nor Ca so its going to be different where you live. hopefully you get a idea of whats up

 

[necessary evil]

I was able to find an email contact for the Pasco County division, and received a return email this morning. They are going to look over the report to remove any confidential information that they are required to remove and then allow me to pick it up at their office.

Thank you all for your assistance.