Policy & Practice | Summer 2025

technology speaks

By Paige Rosemond

The Role of AI-Powered Intake Tools in Child Welfare: Opportunities, Challenges, and Considerations

T he integration of AI-powered intake tools in child welfare services promises substantial benefits for the industry, transforming how agencies manage their hotline and intake processes and promoting timely protection of children. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) requires states to have laws in place that allow for the reporting of child abuse and neglect. Many states have imple mented policies and procedures that allow for reporting 24/7, often uti lizing hotlines and other after-hours reporting mechanisms. Recently, more states are utilizing web-based portals for the electronic submission of reports alleging child abuse and neglect. While these portals can improve access and efficiency in public reporting processes, they can also cause unpredictable surges in reporting, leading to staffing chal lenges for state and local jurisdictions. Consequently, critical reports might remain in a queue for indefinite periods, awaiting review. The initial contact between those reporting child abuse and neglect and caseworkers is crucial because it often represents the first point of inter vention, where swift and accurate assessments can prevent harm and initiate the necessary support to safeguard a child’s well-being. AI-powered intake tools bring effi ciency, consistency, and data-driven insights to this initial contact with families, empowering caseworkers to

make more informed and timely decisions while also prioritizing human review and response to high risk cases effectively. Streamlining Case Prioritization When new reports of child abuse and neglect are not addressed promptly, the consequences can be severe. Delays can lead to prolonged exposure to harmful environments for the children involved, exacerbating their physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. Additionally, delayed intervention hinders the provision of necessary

support and protective services that could prevent further harm. The impact on the workforce is also significant. Caseworkers are often overwhelmed by the high volume of cases and the pressure to prioritize them effectively. Failure to address urgent cases swiftly creates bottle necks, increasing workloads and stress for caseworkers. This can result in burnout, decreased job satisfaction, and higher turnover rates, further straining the resources and capacity of child welfare agencies. AI tools excel at automating time-consuming tasks, allowing

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Policy & Practice Summer 2025