Final answer:
When a child is reported to have suffered a "high risk" injury or immediate threat, DHS assigns the case to an immediate response team. This action is part of the child welfare system's efforts to quickly protect children from harm.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a report indicates that a child has suffered a "high risk" injury or there is an immediate threat to the child, DHS must assign the case to an immediate response team. The Department of Human Services (DHS) prioritizes these reports to quickly safeguard the child from further harm. Agencies working under DHS, such as child protective services, are tasked with the investigation and intervention in these high-risk scenarios.
For instance, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Administration for Children and Families and the Children's Bureau, provides guidance and oversees responses to situations involving child maltreatment. This ensures that injured or endangered children receive the necessary protection and support promptly. Legislation such as the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 further strengthens the protection for unaccompanied minors, guaranteeing them hearings and potential asylum based on credible threats to their well-being.