To whom should a mandated reporter report suspected abuse?

To whom should a mandated reporter report suspected abuse?

• A. Department of Children and Families (DCF)
• B. Department of Education
• C. Local Police
• D. School Counselor

Answer: (A)

A mandated reporter should report suspected abuse to the state child protective services agency, the body responsible for receiving and investigating such reports to ensure the child’s safety. In many states this agency is the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This channel handles intake, initial screening, and coordination of any necessary investigations, which is why it’s the correct recipient. Departments like Education handle educational issues, local police focus on criminal investigations, and a school counselor can support the process, but none of them serve as the formal intake point for abuse reports.

A mandated reporter should report suspected abuse to the state child protective services agency, the body responsible for receiving and investigating such reports to ensure the child’s safety. In many states this agency is the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This channel handles intake, initial screening, and coordination of any necessary investigations, which is why it’s the correct recipient. Departments like Education handle educational issues, local police focus on criminal investigations, and a school counselor can support the process, but none of them serve as the formal intake point for abuse reports.