Adult holding a small childs hand CPS header
  • Child Protective Services

    ​​When the Human Services Department receives a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, the Child Welfare Division of Social Services must decide whether the report meets the legal definition of child abuse or neglect through a thorough and fair investigation.

  • Child Protective Services

    ​​​​​​​​​Under the Virginia State law, an abused or neglected child is any child under 18 whose parent or other person responsible for the care of the child:

    • Causes, or threatens to cause, a physical or mental injury except for an accident
    • Fails to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care
    • Abandons the child
    • Fails to provide the kind of supervision necessary for the child's age or level of development
    • Commits, or allows to be committed, any illegal sexual act involving the child (including incest, rape, fondling, indecent exposure, prostitution) or allows the child to be​ used in any sexually explicit visual material

    For more information on state services visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website.