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Protective services

Last Reviewed Date
September 22, 2023

This section shows how to assess if children qualify for protective services.

Defining protective services

Qualifying for protective services reduces the number of eligibility requirements. Having fewer eligibility requirements reduces the burden of applying and processing the application. Whether a child is in need of protective services is not determined by federal law and does not need to be based on placement in the state’s foster care system. Instead, Lead Agencies must define protective services, preferably in a way that best serves their community.

Examples of populations that Lead Agencies currently include under protective services:

  • Children with very low incomes
  • Children with special needs
  • Children experiencing homelessness
  • Children who have been abused, neglected, or exploited
  • Children with parents participating in addiction recovery programs
  • Families impacted by a state or federal disaster
  • Children with teen parents
  • Children being cared for by grandparents
  • Children who are in foster care
  • Families at risk of coming under the supervision of state protective services
  • Families that include members deemed essential workers as part of a state of emergency
  • Families experiencing domestic violence
  • Families participating in or transitioning from TANF
  • Children of adults with a disability
  • Families experiencing a military deployment
  • Families with adults who are searching for a job

What information should I capture?

Include a Yes or No question for each situation defined as qualifying for protective services. This question should ask whether the situation applies to the family applying.

When an applicant answers Yes to any of the included questions, OCC recommends not asking

  • Whether parents are working. Parents are not required to work when their child qualifies under the Lead Agency’s definition of protective services.
  • Whether parents are attending school or job training. Parents are not required to attend school or job training when their child qualifies under the Lead Agency’s definition of protective services.
  • About family income. Lead Agencies can waive income requirements on a case by case basis when a child qualifies under the Lead Agency’s definition of protective services. OCC recommends asking for family income only if it is needed to make an eligibility determination.

Example application screen

Ask about situations that qualify for protective services

Each Lead Agency will need to include their own set of qualifying situations.