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Access CPS Information

Access CPS Information

Children's Protective Services (CPS) program is responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect according to the Child Protection Law.

Individuals often contact the OCA with questions about confidential Children’s Protective Services (CPS) investigations of alleged child abuse or neglect. Below is information that you may need to know before you call the OCA. 

The individuals listed below may request a copy of the confidential CPS records from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services:

  • A parent or legal guardian.
  • An adult who resides in a child’s home.
  • A person suspected of abusing or neglecting a child.
  • A doctor treating a child suspected of being abused or neglected.

NOTE: Even if an individual is entitled to receive a copy of the confidential CPS records, some information contained in the records may be redacted. The information that will be redacted includes (but is not limited to):

  • The identity of the person who complained to CPS about suspected child abuse or neglect.
  • Information describing an ongoing criminal investigation.
  • Medical and mental health treatment information.
  • Domestic violence information.
  • Substance abuse treatment information.

 

 

 

Reporting Abuse or Neglect

Reports of child abuse or child neglect can be made by calling
855-444-3911

CPS can investigate reports of Abuse or Neglect only if the following criteria are met: 

  • alleged victim is under 18
  • alleged perpetrator is a parent, legal guardian, or responsible for the health and welfare of the child
  • allegations minimally meet the child abuse or neglect definitions in the Child Protection Law

For additional information regarding the CPS, visit the Children's Protective Services site.

Defining Child Abuse and Neglect

  • The MDHHS defines Child Abuse as:

    Harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare that occurs through non-accidental physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or maltreatment, by a parent, a legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child's health or welfare or by a teacher, a teacher's aide, or a member of the clergy.

  • The MDHHS defines Child Neglect as:

    Harm or threatened harm to a child's health or welfare by a parent, legal guardian, or any other person responsible for the child's health or welfare that occurs through either of the following:

    • Negligent treatment, including the failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
    • A parent, legal guardian, or person responsible for a child's health and welfare placing that child's health or welfare at an unreasonable risk, by failing to intervene to eliminate that risk when that person is able to do so and has, or should have, knowledge of the risk.