Ky.gov
Effective: 3/16/2026

C2.21 Alternative Response (AR) Protocol

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Alternative response (AR) is an evidence-based approach to engaging and working with families who require a child protective service (CPS) intervention. AR focuses on assessing child safety, relational practice, and holistic family assessments. ​​​​​​​​​

Practice Guidance

​

  • The SSW has access to all records and documentation to complete an assessment of the household where the child(ren) resides.
  • Collaterals are not a requirement for case completion, but may be utilized if needed to assess safety. 
  • Prevention plans are not utilized, and safety threats should be managed through a safety plan. 
  • Aftercare plans may be utilized if the family would like the identification of potential services/resources at case closure. 
  • Per KRS620.040 (1)(b)(1): The SSW shall physically locate the child(ren) within fourteen (14) calendar days of the initial determination that the report meets acceptance criteria.
      • If the child is under the age of five (5) years or has other developmental or cognitive delays or significant medical or mental health conditions, the SSW shall physically locate the child within five (5) working days of the initial determination that the report meets acceptance criteria.
      • Important: If the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (Cabinet/CHFS) does not locate the child as described above, the SSW shall contact local law enforcement to assist in locating the child. This is a statutory requirement outside of the DCBS-assigned​ initiation timeframe; meeting the assigned initiation timeframes would satisfy this obligation.
  • A report is considered initiated when face-to-face contact is made with the child who is the subject of the report, and that interaction is sufficient to evaluate the child’s well-being and safety based on their age and developmental stage.
  • If the initial meeting with the family occurs outside of the home, the SSW must see the home within three (3) working days of initiation to complete the SDM ® Safety Assessment.
  • If a child is placed outside of the home on a safety plan for more than fourteen (14) consecutive working days, a regional consult will need to occur, and a petition shall be filed in court within seventy-two (72) hours.
  • A pathway switch must occur when the SSW initiates court action, the family has requested an in-home ongoing case, or the family chooses to have an investigation instead of an AR.
  • If an extension is needed to complete service provision, SSW will submit an extension request with the reason “This is an alternative response case and requires additional time for service provision.” SSW may request up to two (2) extensions, which will require FSOS approval. 
  • If the safety assessment indicates that the children are safe, then service completion is not required to close an AR case.

​


Procedure

​​

The SSW:
  1. Contacts the parents/caregivers via phone within one (1) working day of receiving the report to notify them of agency involvement and schedule a visit;
  2. Conducts an announced face-to-face visit with the parents/caregivers and children within five (5) working days of receiving the report to assess for safety, while providing the following:
    1. Notice of basic allegations, void of any specifics that would reveal the reporting source.
    2. Notice of the principles of AR and offer the family the choice between an investigation or an AR assessment. 
  3. Assesses and documents the following in TWIST service recordings:
    1. Identification of all household members and their relationships to each other.
    2. Date, time, location of the assessment.
      1. A comprehensive summary of the contact or visit, including key findings from the family assessment, to include observations. 
  4. Completes the SDM Safety and Risk Assessment per SOP C2.12 Structured Decision Making Safety and Risk Assessments. 
  5. Completes a safety plan when immediate safety threats are present as outlined in SOP C4.1 CPS Safety Planning​.
  6. Maintains weekly contact with the family via phone, email, or home visit to follow up on outstanding items, assess needs, and communicate next steps.
  7. Conducts meaningful face-to-face contact with the family every calendar month to discuss outstanding needs, assess safety, and identify next steps.
  8. Completes monthly consultation with the FSOS and document the consultation in the TWIST service recordings.
  9. Within ten (10) working days of the FSOS approval of assessment closure, the SSW sends:
    1. The Alternative Response Notification of Case Closure letter.
    2. A DPP-154 Protection and Permanency Service Appeal.




Documents

Revisions