A Paradigm Shift from Mandated Reporting
to Community Supporting
This issue brief was developed to initiate a dialogue and inform policy makers, stakeholders and county comprehensive prevention planning teams about strategies to shift our current system of mandated reporters to community support to keep families strong and together.
1. Why Now?
1. Why Now?
We are in the midst of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine the child welfare system:
- New federal policy—the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA)—signed into law in February 2018 and is currently being implemented in states across the country, including California.
- This pending policy and practice shift requires the creation of "community pathways" that allow families to access services and support without fear of over-reporting to Child Protectives Services (CPS).
- Black and Native American communities are demanding action to address the disproportionality of system involvement
"FFPSA will bring California--and our country--significantly closer to implementing a child and family well-being system. This unprecedented shift in culture and practice will require public entities and organizations that touch the lives of children and families to embrace and implement a support mindset. Equipping communities with the ability to offer support is an essential link to successfully bringing FFPSA's promising prevention policies into practice."
— Dr. David Sanders, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Systems Improvement, Casey Family Programs
2. Why Does This Matter?
2. Why Does This Matter?
What does the data tell us about mandated reporting in California?
432,736 children were subject to a CPS investigation between April 2021-March 2022
56,079 children were found to be maltreated
This means only 13% of reports by mandated reporters were substantiated
- Black, Native American, and Latinx families are significantly more likely to encounter systemic and structural barriers and to be reported to child abuse hotlines.
- Once a report is made, these families are also significantly more likely to be investigated for abuse and neglect and have their children separated from them and placed in foster care.
"My daughter was born medically fragile. I had no support from my family. I didn't know where to go for help. I didn't know how to ask for help because I didn't know what I needed. The domestic violence in our home got worse because of the stress of being parents of a child with significant needs. When the police called CPS, I had no idea that my child could be removed because I was a victim of domestic violence. How could they take her away? I believe my experience--and my daughter's life--would have been different if we had support, if someone had explained the "failure to protect" laws. Even though my daughter was in foster care for less than a year, she continues to suffer from the experience."
— Shelley Lopez, Parent and Advocate
3. Recommendations for Reforming Mandated Reporting to Allow for Community Supporting
3. Recommendations for Reforming Mandated Reporting to Allow for Community Supporting
- Embrace a new frame
- Advance legal and legislative reforms
- Implement policy and practice reforms
- Increase access to supports and services
- Engage communities, tribes, and other stakeholders to guide reform
"The child welfare system has historically been rooted in fear: fear of the rare tragic cases of severe abuse that are missed, and the consequences to the children and professionals involved. We must resolve the dilemma of keeping children safe and supported without magnifying the feeling of threat, fear, and surveillance often associated with mandated reporting."
— Kimberly Giardina, DSW, MSW, Director Child Welfare Services, County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency