Five Disposition Categories

Effective July 1, 1999, Michigan's Child Protection Law instituted five disposition categories for CPS investigations. Category is determined by a combination of evidence, risk level and the safety assessment.

The five dispositions for CPS investigations are:

• Category V - No evidence. Further intervention by CPS is not warranted.
• Category IV - CPS finds that there is not a preponderance of evidence of child abuse and/or neglect. CPS may assist the family in accessing community-based services.
• Category III - CPS finds that there is a preponderance of evidence of child abuse or neglect, and the SDM risk level is low or moderate. CPS must assist the family in setting up community-based services commensurate with the risk to the child.
• Category II - CPS finds a preponderance of evidence of child abuse and/or neglect and the SDM risk level is high or intensive. CPS must open a protective services case and provide services.
• Category I - CPS finds a preponderance of evidence of child abuse and/or neglect, and the Child Protection Law or policy requires a petition for court action, or a petition is needed to keep a child safe.