Harbor: Reporting to DCFS

• DHS Police 321.001
• CA Penal Code 11166(h) - when two or more persons are mandated reporters, a member can be selected to make a single report

• Call Social Work Early when there is concern
  • Huddle with the entire team (Physician, RN, SW)
  • Consider consultation with the SCAN team (Medhub - Child Abuse Pediatrics SCAN) if unclear if this constitutes abuse/neglect - when in doubt, report it!
  • SW may help with the reporting if available and can assist with additional information gathering from the family and ancillary sources
    • SW will meet with DCFS if they liaise at the hospital
  • If SW does not agree that this represents abuse, the concerned provider or nurse is responsible for reporting to DCFS
  • If the child is going to be admitted, discuss with the admitting team (must be reported within 24 hours) and the SCAR form must be submitted with 36 hours of presentation.

• PROCESS: Child Protection Hotline Priority line for Medical Providers
  • If there is an immediate concern for safety:
    • Call 1-800-540-4000 and within the first 10 seconds of calling press * and will be prompted to enter a code. The code is 3237 (DCFS). Once the code is entered, the caller will then hear a greeting and will have these options for reports:
      • Press 1 for Safely surrendered baby
      • Press 2 for Substance exposed infant
      • Press 3 for Child fatality or critical condition
      • Press 4 for all other inquiries (Child Report – Medical queue)
    • Pressing Any of these options will give you top priority.
• SCAR Form (Suspected Child Abuse Report SS 8572) - must be completed within 36 hours, but at least 2 hours after the phone call

• Online reporting option
  • Non-Emergent Electronic Mandated Reporter Form (CARES)

See Also

• Harbor:Main