Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS–4)

investigation rates were lower for children with Harm Standard physical abuse (50%versus 70%), those with Endangerment Standard physical abuse (50% versus 64%), andthose who experienced educational neglect (7% versus 14%).Excessive workload during the NIS reference period. Agencies reportedwhether they had an excessive workload in either screening or investigation during theNIS reference period. 110 Their answers related to investigation rates in only a fewmaltreatment categories.When agencies reported that they had an excessive screening workload,children in their jurisdiction who suffered Harm Standard emotional neglect orEndangerment Standard emotional abuse had significantly higher investigation rates(37% versus 21% and 48% versus 30%, respectively). Children who experiencedEndangerment Standard physical abuse received CPS investigation at a marginally higherrate (59% versus 47%).When agencies reported that they had an excessive investigation workloadduring the NIS reference period, children with educational neglect were significantly lesslikely to receive CPS investigation (7% versus 17%), and those with Harm Standardemotional neglect were marginally more likely to have CPS investigate theirmaltreatment (35% versus 24%).Alternative response track. An alternative response track is a means bywhich agencies can refer cases for assessment or services without conducting aninvestigation. 111 As Tables 8–4 and 8–5 show, whether or not an agency had analternative response track related to investigation rates across a wide range ofmaltreatment categories under both the Harm and Endangerment Standards. In all cases,maltreated children were much less likely to receive an investigation in jurisdictions thathad an alternative response track. The investigation rate for educational neglect did notvary with the presence of an alternative response track. 112110 The survey did not define the phrase “excessive workload,” but left it to the agencies’ interpretation.111CPS agencies reported whether they could provide a response other than an investigation on two NIS–4supplementary surveys: both the SPM and the SPS. Generally, different agency staff responded to thesesurveys and, in some instances, they offered contradictory responses. The analyses here classified anagency as providing an alterative response if any respondent indicated this.112 The sample included too few sexual abuse cases to support a reliable statistical test for this category.8–36