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5 <br />In 199'7 there were legislative changes passed which gave the CCPT the authority <br />to establish creative outreach services which can reduces risk of harm to children. This <br />year there are proposed legislative changes which will give additional responsibility <br />to the local CCPT to include the evaluating for the District Attorney's office, certain <br />case reviews regarding abuse and neglect decisions made by DSS. This means that cases <br />in which the director of the department of social services has decided not to file a petition <br />for custody, an appeal can be made and the COPT shall review the case and submit a <br />written report and recommendations to the District Attorney within 20 days of the appeal. <br />This expanded responsibility would afford a more effective and open means for the <br />average citizen to share their concerns for the safety and well being of children. The <br />CCPT may also review additional select cases where any of the following situations may <br />occur: <br />• A second and/or subsequent substantiated report of abuse of neglect occurs <br />without the filing of a court petition by the DSS director; <br />• DSS has substantiated a report and has stayed involved with the case for <br />over 12 months without filing a petition; <br />• Cases where the investigative assessment has not been completed by DSS <br />within 30 days. <br />If the recommended changes are passed this year, there will be even greater <br />opportunities for coordination and collaboration among community service providers <br />to achieve intended outcomes for the safety and well being of children. <br />