Official-reports included placement in foster care (FC), substantiated reports of maltreatment (SRM), unsubstantiated reports of maltreatment (URM), and referrals for preventive services (RPS) without allegation of maltreatment. It should be emphasized that according to the harm/evidence model of substantiation, a substantiated report is not equivalent to verifying the presence of maltreatment but rather a label used when sufficient evidence and/or risk of harm exists to permit family court intervention if needed. [18] In Missouri, both substantiated and unsubstantiated cases have been eligible to receive in-home or foster care intervention for many years. RPS cases are not cases that are “bogus” or refused for investigation but includes serious family problems like homelessness that require referrals but do not rise to the legislative standard for abuse and neglect. In Missouri, attempts are made to provide referrals to these families to offset risk of subsequently turning into cases of abuse or neglect.
