Report child abuse and neglect | Mandated reporters
Mandated Reporters are people who are required by law to report child abuse. These are people in certain jobs that often require contact with children.
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Mandated reporters responsibilities
Examples of mandated reporters
Free training
Your responsibilities
California's Penal Code § 11166 requires that "a mandated reporter shall make a report whenever he or she, in his or her professional capacity or within the scope of his or her employment, has knowledge of or observes a child whom the mandated reporter knows or reasonably suspects has been the victim of child abuse or neglect."
- As a mandated reporter, you must report suspected child abuse or neglect. Report to the Department of Family and Children's Services (DFCS) or the police at once or as soon as possible. Call the CANC reporting line (833) SCC-KIDS or (833) 722-5437. This line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In case of life-threatening emergency, call 911. You must also submit a completed Form 8572-Suspected Child Abuse Report.
Form 8572-Suspected Child Abuse Report
BÁO CÁO VỀ VIỆC NGHI NGỜ LẠM DỤNG TRẺ EMT
INFORME SOBRE SOSPECHA DE ABUSO INFANTIL- This form must be completed 36 hours of getting the information about the suspected abuse to DFCS via one of the following:
Mail: Department of Family and Children’s Services
Attn: Child Abuse & Neglect Center (CANC)
373 W. Julian St. San Jose, CA 95110
Email: [email protected]
Fax: (408) 975-5851
Examples of mandated reporters
Examples of mandated reporters include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Teachers, administrators and athletic coaches
- Employees of day camps, youth centers, or recreation programs
- Public assistance workers
- Foster parents or group home personnel
- Social workers
- Probation and parole officers
- District attorney investigators or inspectors
- Coroners and medical examiners
- Law enforcement, fire fighters, and paramedics
- Alcohol and drug counselors
- Animal control
- Caregivers
- Clergy members
- Commercial film and photographic print processors
Free trainings
In partnership with Seneca Family of Agencies, we are providing free monthly trainings to mandated reporters in the County of Santa Clara. Each training is three hours long. You can opt to:
- Attend on-demand, virtual training or in-person training.
- Get trained in English or Spanish.
- Receive continuing education units (CEUs).
If you would like host trainings for your agency, email [email protected] or call (510) 654-4004.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and the Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP) also provide a free, self-paced Mandated Reporter Online Training in English and Spanish.
Check with your employment agency before registering to ensure the trainings meet their requirements.