Examinations, Drug Screens and Substance Abuse Evaluations

Version: 3 POLICY During an assessment, the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) may seek to obtain medical and/or psychological tests and evaluations, drug screens, or other substance abuse evaluations on an alleged child victim and any child who lives in the home of an alleged child victim to determine the health and well-being of the child. DCS will pursue a medical evaluation when one or more of the following conditions exists: 1. The child has an injury that would cause a reasonable person to believe that medical attention is necessary; 2. The allegations include sexual abuse involving penetration and it is believed the information that will be gathered during the examination of the child will assist in making an assessment finding; 3. The child has been removed from a meth lab or meth home. See the Indiana DEC Response Protocol. 4. The child is under the age of two, and shaking or a head injury is alleged even if there are no visible injuries. [REVISED] DCS will assure that all child victims who will be under the supervision of DCS will receive a Child and Adolescent needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment. See separate policy, 4.32 Child and Adolescent needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment. DCS will pursue a psychological assessment when one (1) or more of the following conditions exists: 1. The child’s CANS Assessment indicates a need for a full mental health assessment