{"ref":"DC-HC-ANE-02","title":"Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect","category":"Safeguarding","summary":"What staff do when they suspect that a child they know through their work, whether a client under 18 or a child in a client's home, is abused or neglected: who is a mandatory reporter under D.C. Code §4-1321.02, the immediate oral report to the Child and Family Services Agency or the Metropolitan Police Department under §4-1321.03, what the report contains, notice to the Director, immunity for good-faith reports, and the penalty for failing to report.","inShort":["If a child is in danger, call 911 first.","If you think a child you know through your work is being abused or neglected, call the Child and Family Services Agency hotline at (202) 671-SAFE (202-671-7233) or the police right away.","You must make the report yourself. Then tell the Director right away.","Tell the hotline what you saw and heard, the child's name and address if you know them, and how to reach you.","Fill in the child abuse report record before the end of your shift. A report made in good faith is protected by law."],"primaryCitation":"D.C. Code §4-1321.02","citations":["D.C. Code §4-1321.02","D.C. Code §4-1321.03","D.C. Code §4-1321.04","D.C. Code §4-1321.07","D.C. Code §16-2301","22-B DCMR §9916.2(h)","22-B DCMR §9917.7"],"federalCitations":[],"surveyorAsks":["Your aides work in homes where children live. What would they do if they saw signs of child abuse?","Who do you report suspected child abuse to, and how fast?"],"forms":[{"ref":"DC-HC-ANE-02-A","title":"Child Abuse and Neglect Report Record"}],"headings":["Terms of Reference","1. Purpose","2. Scope","3. Definitions","4. Policy Statement (D.C. Code §4-1321.02)","5. When to Report","6. How to Report","7. What the Report Contains","8. When the Child Is a Client or Lives in a Client's Home","9. Protection for Reporters and Penalty for Not Reporting","10. Responsibilities","11. Records and Compliance Monitoring","12. Staff Training","13. References","14. Related Policies and Forms","15. Approval","16. Revision History"],"version":"1.0","sample":false,"pack":"dc-hca","state":"Washington, DC","service":"Home care","guides":[{"path":"/guides/abuse-neglect-exploitation-reporting/","h1":"Abuse, neglect and exploitation policies: what each state requires"},{"path":"/guides/home-care-agency-policies/","h1":"What policies does a home care agency need?"}],"agency":{"name":"Sample Agency","legalName":"Sample Agency, LLC","logo":null}}