CYF Mandated Reporting & Training
Always check the websites below for any current changes.
Who is mandated to report?
Anyone may report suspected abuse; however, mandated reporters are those people who
are required by law to report suspected child abuse.
Mandated reporters are held to a higher standard of responsibility and may receive serious
consequences for not reporting suspected abuse.
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Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law (CPSL) was amended in 2014, including
substantial changes to the list of people who are mandated reporters.
These are the people who are mandated to report child abuse:
Individuals licensed or certified to practice in any health-related field under the jurisdiction
of the Department of State
• Medical examiner, coroner, or funeral director
• Employees of a health care facility or providers licensed by the Department of Health
who are engaged in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of individuals.
• School employees
• Employees of childcare services who have direct contact with children in the course of
employment.
• Clergymen, priests, rabbis, ministers, Christian Science practitioners, religious healers,
or spiritual leaders of any regularly established church or other religious organization.
• Individuals — paid or unpaid — who, on the basis of the individual's role as an integral part of a regularly scheduled program, activity, or service, are responsible for the child’s welfare or have direct contact with children
• Employees of a social services agency who have direct contact with children in the course of employment
• Employees of a public library who have direct contact with children in the course of
employment
• Individuals supervised or managed by a person listed above, who have direct contact
with children in the course of employment
• Peace officers or law enforcement officials
• Emergency medical services providers certified by the Department of Health
• Employees of a public library who have direct contact with children in the course of
employment
• Individuals supervised or managed by a person listed above, who have direct contact with
children in the course of employment
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• Independent contractors who have direct contact with children
• Attorneys affiliated with an agency, institution, organization, or other entity, including a school or regularly established religious organization that are responsible for the care, supervision, guidance, or control of children
• Foster parents
• Adult family members who are responsible for the child’s welfare and provide services to a
child in a family living home, a community home for individuals with an intellectual disability, or a host home for children who are subject to supervision or licensure by the department under Articles IX and X of the Human Services Code.
The above FULL BROCHURE is at the site below. Always check the site for any current information not listed here.
https://www.pa.gov/en/services/dhs/report-child-abuse-or-neglect-as-a-mandated-reporter.html
How often do Mandated Reporters need to be trained in recognizing and reporting child abuse?
Perspective licensees: The Department of State will only accept course completions
that are 2 years or less from today’s date.
If you have taken a course that is more than 2 years old at the time of applying, you must take the course again.
Where do I find training for Mandated Reporters?
at this website-
https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/dhs/resources/keep-kids-safe/mandated-reporter-training.html
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How do I report?
Childline (1-800-932-0313) is the 24-hour toll-free telephone reporting system
operated by the Department of Human Services to receive reports of suspected child
abuse. It is the best way to report.
ChildLine forwards the report of suspected child abuse to the local county children and
youth agency, which investigates the report to determine if the allegations can be
substantiated as child abuse/neglect and also arranges for or provides the services that
are needed to prevent the further maltreatment of the child and to preserve the family
unit.
If the alleged perpetrator named in the report does not meet the definition of
perpetrator under the CPSL, but does suggest the need for investigation,
ChildLine will forward the information to the district attorney’s office in the respective
county.
ChildLine also maintains a statewide central register, which contains the names and
vital information about children who have been abused in PA since 1976.
This information can be accessed by county children and youth agencies when
investigating new reports of suspected child abuse.
The county CYF agency must begin an investigation within 24 hours.
A thorough inquiry is conducted to determine if the child was abused and what services
are appropriate for the child and family.
This must be completed within 30 days unless the agency provides justification as to
why the investigation cannot be completed, including attempts being made to obtain
medical records or interview subjects of the report.
How do I learn whether the child was abused and what the agency is doing to protect the child from further abuse?
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Mandated reporters may or may not receive information from the county children and
youth agency regarding the final status of the report, whether it was unfounded,
indicated or founded, and the services provided or arranged by the agency.
Do I have to know for sure that the child was abused?
NO. Your responsibility is to make the report when you suspect a child is abused. The
caseworker of the county children and youth agency will investigate and determine
whether the child was abused.
Must I report?
YES. Mandated reporters, by law, must report suspected abuse when they have reason
to suspect based on medical, professional, or other training and experience, that the
the child has been abused.
Am I a mandated reporter if I learn of the abuse from someone other than the child who was allegedly abused?
YES.
Must I give my name?
The law requires that mandated reporters identify themselves and where they can be
reached. Speak to the ChildLine if you have concerns. If clarification of the situation or
additional information is needed, the caseworker will contact you.
Will my name be released?
NO.
What could happen to me if I don’t report?
Willful failure to report suspected abuse is a serious crime.
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The first willful failure is considered a second-degree misdemeanor;
if the child is found to be abused upon investigation, the willful failure to report is considered a first-degree felony (or higher, depending on the situation).
Penalties increase if willful failure to report continues.
What about retaliation by the person accused of abuse?
The law requires the name of the mandated reporter to be kept confidential, and
Children and Youth Services agents take that requirement VERY seriously.
It is possible, however, that some parents will figure out where the report came from.
Fears of retaliation can, unfortunately, be justified.