The DC Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) is the public child welfare agency in the District of Columbia responsible for protecting child victims and those at risk of abuse and neglect and assisting their families. 

Overview of Services

CFSA has four primary functions:

• Report Intake and Investigation: CFSA’s Office of Hotline and Investigations (OHI) accepts reports of known or suspected child abuse or neglect involving children up to age 18 in the District, 24 hours a day, at 202-671-SAFE. When a report suggests that a child may have experienced abuse or neglect as defined by law, OHI is required to investigate to determine whether the allegation is substantiated. Investigative social workers examine reports involving parents, guardians, or others acting in a parental role, when the incident occurs within the District.
• Assist Families: In child welfare, supporting children often means working directly with their parents or caregivers. When CFSA identifies that a child has been abused or neglected, licensed social workers—both from CFSA and partner organizations—step in to ensure the child’s safety while engaging with the family. These social workers connect families with services and resources that help them address long-standing challenges that place their children at risk.
• Provide Safe Out-of-Home Care: When a child or children cannot safely remain at home with their parents/caregivers, CFSA temporarily separates children to safe settings, preferably with kin and if not available with vetted and licensed caregivers and providers. CFSA, in partnership with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) seeks agreement with the separation from DC Superior Court -Family Court.
• Re-establish Permanent Homes: All children and youth grow up best in a family. CFSA works to ensure every child and youth leaves the system to family by returning safely to parents/caregivers, to go to a permanent home with relatives or others through guardianship, or to join a new forever family through adoption.

Mission

CFSA is dedicated to ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of children in the District of Columbia who have experienced abuse or neglect. We also work to strengthen families through comprehensive prevention strategies that help them thrive—all with the goal of Keeping DC Families Together.

CFSA is committed to eight core values:

• All children and youth have the right to be safe.
• Families have the right to be understood, valued, encouraged, and empowered. Families always have a voice in decisions that affect them.
• Community partnerships are essential to keeping children and youth safe.
• Our child welfare practice and services draw on inherent strengths to help children, youth, and families achieve positive outcomes.
• Children and youth deserve opportunities to grow, develop, be physically and mentally healthy, learn, and prepare for successful adulthood.
• Children and youth have an urgent need to achieve permanence as quickly as possible with a family who loves them unconditionally.
• Children, youth, and families deserve understanding and respect within the context of their history, traditions, and culture.
• Best practices and continuous quality improvement throughout the child welfare system support making a positive difference in the lives of those we serve.

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