How to report suspected abuse or neglect ChildLine is the 24-hour reporting system operated by the Department of Human Services to receive reports of Reporting procedure Please see internal policies for your organization related to reporting suspected child abuse. These should include the following guidelines. Reports of suspected child abuse shall be made electronically or by telephone (Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania, 2017). Electronic reports are made via the Child Welfare portal at https://www.compass.state.pa.us/ cwis/public/home. This is the fastest and most efficient way for a mandated reporter to file a report. There is no need for any follow-up reports when submitting reports electronically. The state encourages everyone to visit this website now and set up an account so if and when people need to report child abuse, they can log in and start immediately. Oral reports of suspected child abuse may be made immediately by telephone to ChildLine, at 1-800-932- 0313. This phone line should also be used in the following situations: ● If the person reporting is not a mandated reporter. ● If the person reporting prefers to remain anonymous. ● If the person reporting does not know the county where the incident occurred. ● The suspected abuse or neglect occurred outside of Pennsylvania. ● If the person reporting is unsure if the child is at imminent risk of harm. ● If the person reporting has more than eight alleged perpetrators or the child has a list of extensive injuries. ● If the person reporting is unable to provide a Pennsylvania address for any person in the report. The Statewide toll-free telephone number is available for all persons, whether mandated by law or not, to use to report cases of suspected child abuse or children allegedly in need of general protective services. Written reports must be made within 48 hours after the oral report is made by telephone. Written reports shall be made on form CY47. The following information is requested and— if available—is helpful (Frequently Asked Questions about Child Abuse in PA, 2015): ● The names and addresses of the child, the child's parents, and any other person responsible for the child's welfare. ● Where the suspected abuse occurred. ● The age and sex of each subject of the report. ● The nature and extent of the suspected child abuse, including any evidence of prior abuse to the child or any sibling of the child. ● The name and relationship of each individual responsible for causing the suspected abuse and any evidence of prior abuse by each individual. ● Family composition. ● The source of the report. ● The name, telephone number, and email address of the person making the report. ● The actions taken by the person making the report, including those actions taken under section 6314 (relating to photographs, medical tests, and x-rays of the child subject to the report), 6315 (relating to taking the child into protective custody), 6316 (relating to admission to private and public hospitals), or 6317 (relating to mandatory reporting and postmortem investigation of deaths).
suspected child abuse (Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania, 2017).
● Any other information required by federal law or regulation. The failure of the mandated reporter to file the written report (CY-47) described in the section above shall not relieve the county agency from any duty under the PA CSL, and the county agency shall proceed as though the mandated reporter complied. Reporting procedure (23 PA.C.S. § 6313) A written report of suspected child abuse, which may be submitted electronically, shall include the following information, if known: 1. The names and addresses of the child, the child's parents and any other person responsible for the child's welfare. 2. Where the suspected abuse occurred. 3. The age and sex of each subject of the report. 4. The nature and extent of the suspected child abuse, including any evidence of prior abuse to the child or any sibling of the child. 5. The name and relationship of each individual responsible for causing the suspected abuse and any evidence of prior abuse by each individual. 6. Family composition. 7. The source of the report. 8. The name, telephone number and e-mail address of the person making the report. 9. The actions taken by the person making the report, including those actions taken under section 6314 (relating to photographs, medical tests and X-rays of child subject to report), 6315 (relating to taking child into protective custody), 6316 (relating to admission to private and public hospitals) or 6317 (relating to mandatory reporting and postmortem investigation of deaths). 10. Any other information required by Federal law or regulation. 11. Any other information that the department requires by regulation. Applicability of Mental Health Procedures Act Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mandated reporter who makes a report of suspected child abuse or who makes a report of a crime against a child to law enforcement officials shall not be in violation of the act of July 9, 1976 (P.L.817, No.143), known as the Mental Health Procedures Act , by releasing information necessary to complete the report. Electronic reporting (23 PA.C.S. § 6305) Confirmation of reports – A confirmation by DHS of the receipt of a report of suspected child abuse submitted electronically shall relieve the person making the report of making an additional oral or written report of suspected child abuse, subject to section 6313 (relating to reporting procedure). Confidentiality of reports (23 PA.C.S. § 6339) Except as otherwise provided in subchapter C of the PA CPSL (relating to powers and duties of department) or by the Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure, reports made pursuant to the PA CPSL, including, but not limited to, report summaries of child abuse and reports made pursuant to section 6313 (relating to reporting procedure) as well as any other information obtained, reports written, or
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Book Code: FPA0625
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