On Monday, October 7th, 2019, a session on Mandated Reporter Training for library staff was held here at the J. Lewis Crozer Library. We opened up the training to other libraries and had the pleasure of having employees from Rachel-Kohl Library and Middletown Library attend our training. During a 3-hour-long session, we were taught the role of the mandated reporter, what is considered child abuse and how to report any suspected abuse.
Who are Mandated Reporters?
Mandated Reporters are people who are required by law to report suspected child abuse. They are often the only connection between a child and safety from abuse. It is very important that mandated reporters understand how to correctly recognize child abuse and how to make reports that are timely and complete. Mandated reporters generally are people who come into contact with children as a part of their employment, practice of their profession and, sometimes, as volunteers in child-serving programs. Some examples of Mandated Reporters are: school employees, medical personnel, foster parents and library employees.
What is considered Child Abuse?
Child abuse is defined as an individual acting or failing to act to prevent something that causes serious harm to a child under the age of 18. This harm can take many forms, such as serious physical injury, serious mental injury, sexual abuse, or exploitation.
How to Report Suspected Abuse?
All mandated reporters must submit their name and contact information when making a report. Other members of the community who report can choose to remain anonymous. Calls are answered by a trained specialist who interviews the caller to determine the most appropriate course of action. Actions include forwarding a report to a county agency for investigation, forwarding a report directly to law enforcement officials, or referring the caller to local social services. If you are a mandated reporter, you must report suspected abuse immediately, either by phone or electronically. The toll-free line to report any suspected abuse is 1-800-932-0313 and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. After making the call, mandated reporters must follow up with a written report, which may be submitted electronically, within 48 hours to the Department or county agency assigned to the case by using the CY-47 form. To report abuse electronically you must submit a report directly to ChildLine via the Child Welfare Information Solution portal. This option is only available to mandated reporters.