Family and Children's Services (FCS) Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse
How to Report Abuse
Mandated reporters are required by law to report suspected child abuse, neglect, or exploitation occurring within San Francisco County by:
1) Calling the Family & Children's Services Hotline (800) 856-5553, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
2) Submitting Suspected Child Abuse Report (BCIA 8572) within 36 hours of the verbal report (English | other languages)
Send the completed form in one of three ways:
- Fax: (415) 557-5351
- Mail: Family & Children's Services, Attn: Hotline H110, P.O. Box 7988, San Francisco, CA 94120-7988
- Email: FCSHotlineReports@sfgov.org
Questions? Call the FCS hotline to speak with a protective services social worker.
Who is a Mandated Reporter?
A mandated reporter, as defined by the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), is someone required to report knowledge or reasonable suspicion of child abuse, obtained while acting in a professional capacity or within the scope of one’s employment.
Mandated reporters include:
- Teachers and school personnel
- Child care providers
- Medical professionals
- Mental health professionals and social workers
- Law enforcement professionals
- Clergy members
- Volunteers
View the full list of mandated reporters.
Confidentiality
A mandated reporter's identity cannot be disclosed to the family or anyone else not directly involved in the investigation of the case.
The law enforcement officer and/or protective services social worker investigating the case will have the mandated reporter's name in order to contact them about the report. Other professionals involved in the case, such as detectives and attorneys, will have access to the mandated reporter's name as well.
If the case results in a trial and the mandated reporter is required to testify, their identity may be revealed in court.
Mandated Reporter Training
Local mandated reporters: Attend in-person training provided by our partner organization Safe & Sound. They offer a free training that covers:
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Legal mandates for people working with children and families
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Physical and behavioral indicators of abuse
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How to respond to a child who discloses abuse
Fill out a training request form or call Safe & Sound at (415) 694-5840.
Mandated reporters outside of San Francisco County: Visit the statewide Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training website to sign up for free, online training about basic, mandated reporting requirements.