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CHILD PROTECTIVE SPECIALIST
NYC CIVIL SERVICE EXAM
2026/2027 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
Intake - ANSWER-the initial stage of the CPS process where a
report of suspected child abuse or neglect is received and
assessed by a specialist to determine if it meets the criteria for
a full investigation.
Investigation - ANSWER-is a systematic process to gather
information, evaluate evidence, and determine whether child
abuse or neglect has occurred.
Assessment - ANSWER-a systematic process of information
gathering, information analysis, drawing conclusions, and
decision-making to ensure a child's safety and well-being in
response to a report of suspected abuse or neglect.
Case Management - ANSWER-a coordinated process of
assessing a child's and family's needs and connecting them to
resources to ensure the child's safety and well-being. It is a
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holistic approach that focuses on the family's strengths and
weaknesses and addresses multiple issues beyond the single
reason for a child protective services report.
Family Dynamics - ANSWER-refers to the interrelationships
between and among family members. It encompasses the
forces at work within a family that shape its unique behavior,
interactions, and communication patterns.
Cultural Sensitivity - ANSWER-understanding how a family's
cultural background, including beliefs, values, and practices,
influences their behavior and perspectives during an
investigation.
Implicit Bias - ANSWER-refers to the unconscious attitudes and
stereotypes that can unintentionally influence a specialist's
understanding, actions, and decisions.
Safety Planning - ANSWER-is a written agreement between a
family and a child protective services (CPS) agency outlining
how specific threats to a child's safety will be managed to
ensure the child's protection in the home. It details the
immediate actions, stabilizing activities, observations, and
supervision necessary to control or eliminate the identified
CHILD PROTECTIVE SPECIALIST
NYC CIVIL SERVICE EXAM
2026/2027 ACTUAL QUESTIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS.
Intake - ANSWER-the initial stage of the CPS process where a
report of suspected child abuse or neglect is received and
assessed by a specialist to determine if it meets the criteria for
a full investigation.
Investigation - ANSWER-is a systematic process to gather
information, evaluate evidence, and determine whether child
abuse or neglect has occurred.
Assessment - ANSWER-a systematic process of information
gathering, information analysis, drawing conclusions, and
decision-making to ensure a child's safety and well-being in
response to a report of suspected abuse or neglect.
Case Management - ANSWER-a coordinated process of
assessing a child's and family's needs and connecting them to
resources to ensure the child's safety and well-being. It is a
, 2 | Page
holistic approach that focuses on the family's strengths and
weaknesses and addresses multiple issues beyond the single
reason for a child protective services report.
Family Dynamics - ANSWER-refers to the interrelationships
between and among family members. It encompasses the
forces at work within a family that shape its unique behavior,
interactions, and communication patterns.
Cultural Sensitivity - ANSWER-understanding how a family's
cultural background, including beliefs, values, and practices,
influences their behavior and perspectives during an
investigation.
Implicit Bias - ANSWER-refers to the unconscious attitudes and
stereotypes that can unintentionally influence a specialist's
understanding, actions, and decisions.
Safety Planning - ANSWER-is a written agreement between a
family and a child protective services (CPS) agency outlining
how specific threats to a child's safety will be managed to
ensure the child's protection in the home. It details the
immediate actions, stabilizing activities, observations, and
supervision necessary to control or eliminate the identified
