The Department of Children and Family Services encourages everyone to report suspected child abuse and neglect. The exception is those professions that have an inherent responsibility to report by virtue of their positions, and thus they are mandated to report suspected child abuse and neglect. Mandated reporters are those individuals who in the course of their work come in contact with families and children.

The following professionals are Mandated reporters (Penal Code Section 11165.7) and as such are required to report suspected/alleged child abuse and neglect to a child protective agency (police or CFS) and file a mandated reporter form within 36 hours of submitting an oral report. Any one whose duties require direct contact and supervision of children.

• Any one whose duties require direct contact and supervision of children.

• Medical, Dental and Hospital Personnel. including: physicians, surgeons, dentists, residents, interns, podiatrists, chiropractors, licensed nurses, dental hygienists, optometrists, medical examiners, coroners, emergency medical technicians I & II, paramedics,

• Mental Health Professionals and Counselors (including psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed and unlicensed marriage, family and child counselors and trainees, psychological assistants.)

• School Officials and Educators (including public, classified or private: teachers, instructional aides, teacher’s assistants, administrative officers, supervisors of child welfare and attendance, administrators or employees of a county office of education or the California Department of Education, school police.)

• Social Service Personnel (including: public assistance workers, social workers, clinical social workers, child visitation monitors, county welfare employees.)

• Clergy (including priests, ministers, rabbis, religious practitioners, or similarly functionary of a church, temple or recognized denomination or organization.)

• Day Camp or Child-Care Providers (including public or private: administrators, licensees & employees of any youth center, youth recreational program, youth organization, licensed community care or child day care facility.)

• Commercial Film and Photographic Print Processors (including those that develop exposed negatives, slides, or prints.)

• Law Enforcement Personnel (including: any employee of any police department, county sheriff’s department, and county probation department. This includes probation officers, parole officers, police officers, peace officers & custodial officers. (Top)