1010 Mandated Reporting | TANF

Georgia Division of Family and Children Services
TANF Policy Manual

Policy Title:

Mandated Reporting

Effective Date:

August 2019

Chapter:

1000

Policy Number:

1010

Previous Policy Number(s):

MT 41

Updated or Reviewed in MT:

MT-49

Requirements

All Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) employees are responsible for reporting child abuse and neglect if observed, suspected, or reported to the individual employee.

Basic Considerations

Section 19-7-5 of the official code of Georgia mandates that all DFCS employees be responsible for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect to Child Protective Services (CPS). The purpose of this code section is to provide for the protection of children whose health and welfare are adversely affected and further threatened by the conduct of those responsible for their care and protection.

It is hoped that the mandatory reporting of such cases will cause protective services to act on the problems of abuse and neglect to prevent further abuse or neglect, to protect at-risk children, and to preserve family life wherever possible.

The following is a list of what must be reported to CPS:

signs of abuse of a child observed during an interview,
verbal abuse of a child that is observed during an interview,
information about suspected abuse or neglect of a child received during an interview or conversation,
information about suspected abuse or neglect of a child received during a phone call. Refer the person reporting the information to CPS intake staff. Follow-up on the conversation with a written referral to CPS intake. Maintain a copy of the referral in the case record.

If there is any doubt concerning the need to make a report, the report must be made. CPS Intake workers must screen all received reports and determine whether to open an investigation. If there is doubt, employees must err on the side of the child’s safety.

Procedures

If suspected acts of abuse or neglect of a child are observed or discovered, take the following steps:

Step 1

Arrange for a CPS intake worker to talk with the client if the behavior is being exhibited in your office. Follow-up the request to CPS in writing. Make a copy of the written referral for the case record.

Step 2

Complete a written referral to CPS and retain a copy in the case record if a CPS worker is unavailable or the client is not present. Include the following information in the referral:

the child’s name, age, address, and current location if different from the address,
the parent’s or guardian’s name, address, and phone number,
the reason for referral,
the reporter’s name, address, phone number, and relationship to child.

The individual who reports the information has the right to remain anonymous. If the reporter requests anonymity, document accordingly on the referral.