Do I suspect abuse? If so, report

Reporting (Chapter 7, pg. 64-67)

Any person who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child is abused or maltreated should report this information to the State Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment (SCR). Physicians, nurse and certain other professionals are mandated to report.

All cases where there is reasonable cause to suspect child abuse and maltreatment mustbe reported immediately by telephone or fax any time of the day ornight, seven days a week to the SCR. Prior to faxing a report, contact the SCR top obtain instructions and forms. The person reporting should give the following information:

• caller's name, title and name of institution
• information required on Form DSS-221-A
• action taken by the person reporting

Obtain and document the following information:

• names of persons to whom report is being made
• phone number of local office to which the case will be assigned
• address of local office(s) to which the DSS-2221-A should be mailed
• report ID number assisned to the case
• names of SCR staff to be consulted, if necessary

A signed written report (form DSS-2221-A) must be completed by the hodspital designated child abuse coordinator and filed wiothin 48 hours of an oral report. Thw written reports must be submitted to the appropriate local child protective services. If you are uncertain which local CPS office should receive the wroitten form, contact the SCRfor a determination.

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