Background of the CPS System

The SCR began in 1973 with the passing of the Child Protective Services Act. This law required the following:

• Mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse or maltreatment by specific professionals. The list of those professionals can be found in the New York Social Services Law §413. This list changes as legislation is updated.

• The creation of a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week central registry, known in New York as the SCR, to receive reports. The SCR is operated by the New York State Office for Children and Family Services (OCFS).

• The local Child Protective Services (CPS) was created to receive and investigate registered reports. In New York, local district CPS offices are staffed by human service professionals trained to investigate allegations of child abuse and maltreatment.

• The laws that guide New York Child Protective Services today are Article 6, Title 6 of the Social Services Law and Article 10 of the Family Court Act.