Mandated Reporter Training - Unit 1

DHHS Response to Referrals

  • Response is based on factors such as:
    • The seriousness/complexity of cases receiving services.
    • The number of caseworkers.
    • Availability of resources

Contract Agencies

DHHS has contracts with private agencies to respond to reports of child abuse and neglect. This has resulted in a significant decrease in the number of reports that were not assigned for assessment.

Key Points

  • Low to moderate risk reports may be referred to an Alternative Response Program (ARP).
  • ARP services are voluntary.
  • ARP refers family back to CPS when necessary.

Sources of Reports Assigned
 
2007
2008
2009
2010
  1. School Personnel
1075
966
919
957
  1. Social Services Personnel
815
771
646
679
  1. Law Enforcement Personnel
990
958
1003
990
  1. Medical Personnel
687
658
723
733
  1. Mental Health Personnel
587
489
493
481
  1. Anonymous
520
611
685
618
  1. Neighbor/Friend
479
456
411
343
  1. Relative
523
489
533
501
  1. Other
323
194
160
168
  1. Self/Family
478
486
491
461
  1. Child Care Personnel
106
100
77
53

 

Key Points

  • This chart shows numbers of assigned reports.
  • The Top 5 categories are all mandated reporters.
  • School Personnel has generally been number 1.
  • Child Care Personnel has always been low.<
  • It does not matter to CPS who makes a report; what matters is the quality of the reports.
  • Nationally, the highest number of reports is made by educational personnel at a rate of 16.5%, followed by legal and law enforcement personnel at 16.4%.
  • In Maine, the highest number of reports are made by school personnel, followed by law enforcement.
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