Making the Call

 

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Ask yourself the following questions while preparing your information:

  • What is the role of the parent (or the person legally responsible)?
  • What information can you provide to show who is responsible?
  • Is this situation part of an ongoing pattern?
  • Where is the child now?
  • Do you know anything about the child’s siblings?
  • Does the child have any special needs? What are these needs?
  • Is an interpreter needed?
  • Is the child on any medications?
  • Do you know of any related issues that could be helpful for the local caseworker to know?
  • Are there personal safety issues for the local CPS caseworker (dogs, guns in the home, etc.)?
  • When can you, as a mandated reporter, be reached? A phone number or beeper number (especially after hours) is most helpful for the local CPS staff.

 

 

Your job is to provide enough information to aid the CPS specialist in his or her decision-making process.

  • Explain to the CPS specialist what your suspicions or concerns are relative to the child who has come to your attention. Explain whether the child has been subjected to harm and why.
  • Some mandated reporters have consistent and close contact with a child or parent because of the nature of their profession. This may give the mandated reporter an advantage in being able to assess the overall condition of the child.
  • Some identifying information is required. The local CPS agency will need some way to be able to locate the child.

REMINDER: Use the LDSS-2221A form to gather information, and then use it as a tool to organize your information while making the call.

Special Note: When registering your report, you may request that the local CPS agency assigned to this report contact you directly.

 

 

  • If the report you make is registered by the CPS specialist, be sure to ask for the call identification number assigned to your report, as well as the full name of the CPS specialist you are speaking with.
  • You can request a “Summary of Findings.” This brief document can be provided to you following the completion of the local district investigation and determination of the investigation outcome.
  • Simply because you are calling as a mandated reporter does not mean that a report will automatically be registered. If the SCR can not register the report you are trying to make, the reason for their decision should be clearly explained to you and you should be offered an opportunity to speak to a supervisor.
  • If you are not satisfied with the outcome of your interview with the CPS specialist, be sure to ask to speak with a supervisor. Supervisors are on duty at the SCR around the clock and can be very helpful in clarifying issues and reviewing decisions whenever this is necessary.