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Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the purpose of this application?
The application is to provide the Mandated Reporter a convenient way to report non-emergent suspected child abuse and neglect which occurred in Los Angeles County.
Who can use the system?
LA County employees can log in using their employee number (e123456) and Internet password. Non-LA County employees must register as a new non-LA County employee user. Note that the website is restricted to Mandated Reporters only.
What is a non-emergent report?
Non-emergent reports include situations or incidents of suspected child abuse and neglect that do not require immediate attention or the victim is not in immediate danger.
Example: The victim is safe with a care provider for the next 5 business days.
If the report does not meet the criteria to utilize the non-emergent reporting system, please proceed in calling the LA County Child Protection Hotline at 1-800-540-4000 to make a verbal report as soon as possible.
What is Child Abuse?
As defined in the CANRA (PC 11164-11174.3) and California Attorney General's Child Abuse Prevention Handbook: To many, child abuse is narrowly defined as having only physical implications. In reality, child abuse includes:
- Physical abuse; unlawful corporal punishment or injury
- General and severe neglect
- Sexual abuse; sexual assault; exploitation
- Willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment; emotional maltreatment
How do I register for an account?
New users may register for an account by clicking on the "New Non-LA county employee registration" link at the bottom of the login page and completing the online registration form. Note that the website is restricted to Mandated Reporters only.
I forgot my Email Address. How can I retrieve it?
To retrieve a forgotten email address, you may click on the “Forgot Email Address?” link on the Login page and start the email recovery process. Enter your full name and phone number. If the information you entered matches the system your email address will be displayed in the Email Address field on the Login page.
If you would like to change the email address you registered as please login and proceed to the “Edit Profile” page under the “Account” Menu.
I forgot my password. How can I retrieve it?
To retrieve a forgotten password, you may click on the “Forgot Password?” link on the Login page. Enter your email address on the Forgot Password page and click on Reset Password. The system will then send you an email with the subject titled “Password Reset Request”. Once you click on the email’s link you will be required to answer three security questions. If the questions are answered correctly the system will prompt you to enter a new password. Click on submit to complete the password recovery process. Please note there is an expiration time of 60 minutes for you to complete
this process otherwise you will be required to start the password reset again.
How do I edit my profile?
You may edit your profile by clicking on the "Edit Profile" tab on the top menu. Please note this option is only available to non-LA County employee users.
My account is inactive. What does that mean?
An inactive account is an account that hasn’t been used for 12 months or more.
What happens if my account is inactive?
After 12 months of inactivity you will receive an email notification with information on how to re-activate your account. If you do not use your account for 2 years, the system will deactivate your account and you will be required to complete the user registration again in order to use the system.
How do I unlock my account?
For security purposes, your account will be locked after 5 failed logon attempts.
For Non-LA County employees, if your account is locked or you forget your password, click Forgot Password to reset it.
For LA County employees, please click on the Los Angeles County Self-Service site link from the Forgot Password Window to unlock your account.
How do I report an abuse?
After you have successfully created an account and log into the system, you may click on the “Report an Abuse”. You will then be required to answer a few questions and click “Submit”. If any of the questions are answered “Yes” you will be prompt to call the Child Protection Hotline at (800) 540-4000 to make a verbal report. If all the questions are answered “No” you will proceed to a set of forms that will be required to be filled out. You may also save your report to be continued at a later time by clicking on the “Save” button at the bottom.
How do I continue with a saved report?
To retrieve a saved report you may return to the Home page where a list will be displayed showing all the reports that have been saved or submitted. For saved reports, a “Draft” will be displayed on the Status. You may click on the Report Numbers to continue with your saved reports.
How long do I have to complete a report?
Once you initiate your report online you will have up to 24 hours to complete and submit the report. If a report is not completed in 24 hours, you will receive an email alert prompting you to complete it within 48 hours.
What happens if a report is not completed within 48 hours of receipt of the email?
If a report is not completed within 48 hours of receipt of the email, a hotline staff will attempt to contact you and assist you in completing the report.
What happens after a report is submitted?
Upon receiving a submitted report of child abuse or neglect, a hotline staff will review the information and send you an email with the outcome within two days.
Will I be notified of the outcome of the report I submitted?
Once a child abuse or neglect report is submitted, a hotline staff will review the information and send you an email with the outcome within 48 hours.
Will I be able to print out my report?
On the Home page, you will see a list of reports you submitted. Click on the report number hyperlink to view or print a report as needed. Once a report is submitted, you will not be able to make any changes to the report. Please note, to ensure the information you report is confidential and secure, you cannot view a submitted report that is over 60 days old.
What information is required by the Mandated Reporter when submitting an online report?
The following information are required when making an online report.
- Reporting Information: name, work address, work title and phone number.
- Child Information: alleged victim child(ren) and minor sibling(s) information: name, DOB (age if DOB unknown), home address, contact number and school or daycare location.
- Adult Information: parent(s), adult(s) in the home or alleged perpetrator(s) information: name, address, contact number.
- Incident Information: what happened including any injury details and whether law enforcement was contacted?
- Family Functioning: the risk level of the children within the family (if known).
- Safety Information: the safety level of the children within the home or environment.
How to report an emergent suspected child abuse matter?
If this is an urgent matter, you may report a suspected child abuse and/ or neglect to any of these agencies:
- Los Angeles County, The Child Protection Hotline 1 (800) 540-4000
- Los Angeles Police Department Abused Child Unit (213) 485-4700
- Los Angeles County Sheriff Department (562) 946-8531
- OR your local law enforcement agency.
Where can I find a list of all the DCFS regional offices?
You may
click here to view the list of the DCFS regional offices.
Will the person know I made the report?
No, the identity of the person making the report is confidential pursuant to Penal Code 11137(d), 11167(d). The Penal Code is such that the reporter’s identity may be disclosed only to certain authorized parties, i.e., law enforcement and child protection personnel. Also, a mandated reporter may be required to testify in court should there be a criminal case.
After completing an online report in CARES, is it also necessary to call the Child Protection Hotline to make a verbal report?
No. The online CARES system is processed by Child Protection Hotline social workers; it completes your mandate and also acts as your written report. You have the option to contact the Child Protection Hotline by phone or to use the online CARES system to make your report.
If I already made a verbal report to the Child Protection Hotline by phone, should I use CARES to complete my follow-up written report?
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