Mandated reporters are those who are mandated (required) by law to report either known or suspected child abuse or neglect. Usually, these people have contact with children through their jobs. Mandated reporters are required by the state of California to report any known or suspected child maltreatment to the county child welfare department or to a local law enforcement agency, such as the local police or sheriff’s department.

Everyone should report child abuse, but there are certain professionals who must report abuse or neglect or be held liable by law. These specific positions are listed in the California Penal Code § 11165.7. They include but are not limited to:

-A teacher

-An instructional aide

-A teacher’s aide or assistant at public or private school

-An employee of public school

-An administrative officer or supervisor of child welfare and attendance of any school

-An administrator of day camp, public or private

-An administrator or employee of a public or private youth center, youth recreation program, or youth organization

-An administrator or employee of any organization whose duties require direct contact and supervision of children

-Any employee of the state or county education system whose duties bring them into contact with children on a regular basis

-A licensee, administrator, or employee of a licensed community care or child day care facility

-A Head Start program teacher

A licensing worker or licensing evaluator

-A public assistance worker

-An employee of a child care institution including foster parents, group home personnel, and personnel of residential care facilities

-A social worker, probation officer, or parole officer

-An employee of a school district police or security department

-Any person who works in a child abuse prevention program in any school

-A district attorney investigator, inspector, or local child support agency caseworker

-A peace officer

-A firefighter (except volunteers)

-A physician, surgeon, psychiatrist, psychologist, dentist, resident, intern, podiatrist, chiropractor, licensed nurse, dental hygienist, optometrist, marriage, family and child counselor, clinical social worker

-Any EMT, paramedic, or other certified person

-A psychological assistant

-A marriage, family, and child therapist trainee

-An unlicensed marriage, family, and child therapist intern

-A state or county public health employee

-A coroner

-A medical examiner or anyone who performs autopsies

-A commercial film and photo processor

-A child visitation monitor

-An animal control officer or humane society officer

-A clergy member or religious practitioner

-A custodian of records of a clergy member

-Any employee of any police department, county sheriff’s department, county probation department, or county welfare department

-An employee or volunteer of a Court Appointed Special Advocate program

-An alcohol or drug counselor

Mandated reporters must report suspected child abuse or neglect immediately by phone to a county welfare department or local law enforcement. It must then be followed by a written report within 36 hours by fax or through a secure electronic submission. Written reports must be submitted on the California Suspected Child Abuse Report (SCAR) Form 8572.

In Del Norte County, reports can be made by mandated reporters and community members to the Child Abuse Hotline at 707-464-3191 which is operated 24/7.

If you are listed as a mandated reporter, you are required to complete mandated reporter training. The frequency of training varies, but it is important to be very familiar with how and when to report.

If you are not a mandated reporter, you can still receive training.

General mandated reporter training is always available online at https://mandatedreporterca.com. Local trainings are offered on a regular basis through the local child welfare department.