Published
I don't know if it varies by state, but I'll tell you I was investigated a year ago. My 13 yr old son sometimes has extreme non-verbal reactions to stress -- he has squeezed a pencil in his fist so tightly that it broke, a full-body equivalent of tapping his foot (that's best I can describe it), sometimes accompanied by audible breathing... clearly upset facial expressions, etc.
He had gotten a poor grade on a test -- the day after having a big talk about how he doesn't try his hardest. When he saw his grade he did what he does, because he was afraid of getting in trouble at home.
Mandated reporters will make a CPS report with suspicion only. They need zero evidence. Well the teacher saw his reaction and figured that behavior was suspicious for abuse.
I had two interviews with a social worker, with a LEO at one; they also went to the school and interviewed my kids. The investigation was then closed.
Because we were "assessed out" after they found no evidence, I wasn't charged with anything and thus don't have any kind of criminal record. Because I was cleared, the social worker said my file is confidential -- they can't even go back to the school and share their findings with administration or the school psychologist/social worker.
The CPS SW told me that the thresholds for required reporting have gotten more strict. Therefore they receive and investigate more reports -- BUT they also clear more parents.
Thinking back to renewing my RN license, the BON doesn't ask for anything like this -- they ask about criminal charges, substance abuse issues, mental health issues etc. But not about contact with COS.
featheredavenger
59 Posts
Can I still work as a nurse if I was investigated by CPS? Criminal or court charges were not an outcome of the investigation.