(1) Child protective services (CPS) means those services provided by the department of children, youth, and families designed to protect children from child abuse and neglect and safeguard such children from future abuse and neglect, and conduct investigations of child abuse and neglect reports (RCW 26.44.020 (12) and (17)).

(2) CPS may include the following:

(a) Investigation of reports of alleged child abuse or neglect.

(b) Assessment of risk of abuse or neglect to children.

(c) Provision of and/or referral to services to remedy conditions that endanger the health, safety, and welfare of children.

(d) Referral to law enforcement when there are allegations that a crime against a child (RCW 26.44.030(4) and 74.13.031(3)) might have been committed.

(e) Out-of-home placement and petitions to courts when necessary to ensure the safety of children.