Reporting to Children and Youth

Who must report?…the mandated reporter

Mandated reporters are people who come into contact with children as part of their work. Mandated reporters include, but are not limited to, physicians, medical examiners, dentists, optometrists, nurses, hospital personnel, members of the clergy, school administrators and teachers, social services workers, day-care center workers, child care or foster care workers, mental health professionals, and law enforcement officials. By law, mandated reporters must report when they have reasonable cause to suspect (based on their medical, professional, or other training and experience) that the child before them has been abused.

What procedures must a mandated reporter who is employed at a facility, institution, or agency follow?

If a mandated reporter is a member of staff of an institution, school, facility or agency, that person must notify the person in charge or designated to handle child abuse reporting. The designated person has the legal obligation to make the report to the Department of Public Welfare and may be made to the appropriate child protective service. The person in charge may not make an independent decision of whether or not to report the suspected abuse. Mandated reporters who do not work in such an institution must themselves call in the report to ChildLine at (800) 932-0313.

Individuals who are required to report by law must make these reports immediately by phone and in writing within forty-eight (48) hours.

Two ways to report…

 General Protective Service Reports (GPS REFERRALS) are made directly to Venango County Children and Youth by calling 814 432-9743. A worker is always available during normal business hours to help you make this referral.

GPS REFERRALS are made to report broad concerns for the safety and well-being of a child.

Professional reporting sources follow up with a Request for Service form.

Child Protective Service Reports (CPS REFERRALS) are made to CHILDLINE (800) 932-0313 and/or to the agency (432-9743). ChildLine is the central registry for child abuse in PA and is available 24 hours a day.

CPS REFERRALS are made to report specific allegations of child abuse as defined in the glossary.

Professional reporting sources follow up with a CY47 within 48 hours of the report…see appendix for sample.

AS SOON AS A PROBLEM IS IDENTIFIED, STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A NEED TO CONTACT CHILDREN AND YOUTH. IT IS NOT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO INVESTIGATE, OR EVEN DETERMINE, WHICH KIND OF REPORT IS NEEDED. CALL THE AGENCY WITH QUESTIONS. THE SOONER CHILDREN AND YOUTH IS CONTACTED, THE SOONER INTERVENTION CAN BEGIN.

Helpful Hints When Reporting Suspected Child Abuse

The safety and welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. There are certain circumstances when it is necessary and appropriate to report concerns and allegations to the appropriate public child welfare agency. Knowing exactly when and what to report is not as important as calling the agency to discuss the situation to determine if a report is appropriate . Safe is always better than sorry. There will be a worker available to assist you in proving the information needed to make a referral if appropriate. The following information may assist you…

The minimum information needed to enable Children and Youth to assess a situation includes: an address or explicit directions to enable a worker to locate the child and/or family; allegations that the person responsible for the problem or condition is a caretaker/parent or a member of thechild’s household; allegation that fall within the legal jurisdiction of the child welfare agency. Again, a worker will help you to provide this information.

Reports made to Children and Youth are confidential. You will not be informed regarding the outcome of the investigation. You may make an anonymous referral. If you identify yourself and ask that your name remain confidential, efforts will be made when appropriate to accommodate this request. However, there are some circumstances that require the agency to release the name of the reporting source to the police and/or the Court .

If your concerns or other problems are substantiated by the investigation, services will be initiated to address and resolve those issues. The goal of Children and Youth is two-fold…to assure the child’s safety and to preserve the family unit. Children are only removed from their family against the wishes of the parent if there is evidence of substantial risk that cannot be reconciled with services to the intact family. Placement by the agency can only occur if ordered by the Juvenile Court.

Children and Youth investigates and provides services in many situations that are not defined as abuse according to the law. In the Child Welfare System, the term ABUSE has very Specific definitions. You are not responsible for defining the problem, but it is important that when necessary you can identify the problem and know where to call for assistance.

“CHILDLINE”

The 24 Hour Hotline for Child Abuse in Pennsylvania 1-800-932-0313