When a person notifies Children and Family Services (CFS) regarding possible abuse or neglect of a child, CFS social work staff determines how quickly to proceed with an investigation by assessing the referral information and focusing on the present and future risks to the child. Considering the condition of the child and the risk of future maltreatment helps a social worker determine how quickly to respond to a CFS referral and what priority to assign that referral. This process involves accepting oral or written allegations of child abuse or neglect for further investigation, gathering the information to determine the need for CFS and the urgency of the situation and initiating the appropriate response and an investigative plan.