Each state has laws requiring certain people to report concerns of child abuse and neglect. While some states require all people to report their concerns, many States identify specific professionals as mandated reporters; these often include social workers, medical and mental health professionals, teachers, and child care providers. Specific procedures are usually established for mandated reporters to make referrals to child protective services.
To promote racial equity and increase awareness of alternative ways to provide support to children and families, mandated reporters are encouraged to become “mandated supporters,” which entails working to connect families to resources that provide support for their needs so that they can support their children. This page offers information on mandated reports, reporting requirements, and training resources.
Can Decreasing Unwarranted Reports to Child Protection Agencies Improve Outcomes for Children and Families?
Casey Family Programs (2020)
Discusses a study about how mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect are not well understood and can result in unwarranted, poor-quality reports that negatively impact families and cause unnecessary trauma.
Mandated Supporters [Video]
Prevent Child Abuse Arizona (2021)
Describes an effort that encourages individuals and communities to become “mandated supporters,” which entails connecting families to resources and promoting help-seeking behaviors.
Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect
Webinar: Not Neutral: The Impact of Mandatory Reporting on Domestic Violence Survivors
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, VAWnet (2021)
Presents a webinar on the impact of mandatory reporting laws on domestic violence survivors and how, in many cases, mandatory reporting deters help-seeking for survivors.
Webinar: Policing by Another Name: Mandated Reporting as State Surveillance
Shriver Center on Poverty Law (2020)
Offers a webinar on the disproportionate effects of mandated reporting requirements on communities of color and those living in poverty.
Reporting requirements
Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect
Immunity for Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect
Penalties for Failure to Report and False Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect
State Guides and Manual Search
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Links to State-specific publications that describe mandatory reporting for a variety of audiences.
Who Is Required to Report?
Stop It Now (2021)
Reviews the types of professionals that are usually considered mandatory reporters of child abuse and neglect and discusses how some States now include all adults who suspect child maltreatment as mandated reporters.