2021-112 Audit Scope and Objectives
California Department of Justice—Child Abuse Central Index
The audit by the California State Auditor will provide independently developed and verified information related to the Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) administered by the California Department of Justice (DOJ). The audit's scope will include, but not be limited to, the following activities:
- Review and evaluate the laws, rules, and regulations significant to the audit objectives.
- Evaluate whether CACI is an effective tool for investigatory purposes, including the extent to which reporting agencies submit accurate and complete reports of abuse and severe neglect.
- Determine whether DOJ has complied with state law to remove reports from CACI that do not meet minimum legal requirements.
- For a selection of reporting agencies, evaluate the grievance process and determine whether the reporting agencies have adequate policies and procedures to receive and review objections to an individual's listing in CACI.
- From 1997 to the present, assess whether parties complied with state law CACI reporting requirements by determining the following:
- The number of reports DOJ received and entered into CACI by county.
- The number of individuals listed as suspects, victims, and others on these reports.
- To the extent possible, use data from the CACI to determine the following:
- The number of records that are based on reports submitted before to January 1, 2005.
- The number of victims and suspects referenced in substantiated reports submitted from 1991 to 2004.
- Demographic information for victims and suspects by age, race, and gender.
- The number and percentage of reports by the type of abuse or neglect reported.
- The number of victims and suspects included in reports of substantiated or suspected abuse or neglect.
- Whether individuals have been appropriately removed from the CACI data. Specifically, determine whether (1) individuals who were at least 100 years old have been removed, (2) whether victims who were younger than 18 years old at the time of the incident have been removed if more than 10 years has passed without a subsequent report, and (3) whether individuals have been removed at the request of the submitting agency.
- Review and assess any other issues that are significant to the audit.
California State Auditor's Office
06/30/21