Reporting Protocols
Your report could be the difference between safety and continued harm.
Understanding Your Responsibility
Child abuse reporting is critical to protecting vulnerable children in our community. In 2025, 16,401 children in Fresno County were alleged victims of child abuse and neglect.
Who Must Report?
California law designates certain professionals as Mandated Reporters who are legally required to report known or suspected child abuse.
These include:
- Teachers, school personnel, and daycare workers
- Healthcare professionals and mental health practitioners
- Law enforcement officers
- Clergy members
- Social workers
- Youth organization staff and volunteers
- Commercial film and photographic print processors
- Child care providers (required specific training under AB 1207)
Even if you are not a mandated reporter, anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect is encouraged to make a report.
Are you a “Regular” Volunteer?
Under AB 506, a regular volunteer is defined as a volunteer with a youth service organization who is 18 years or older and has direct contact with or supervises children for more than 16 hours per month or 32 hours per year. You must complete your Mandated Reporter Training.
Youth Service Organizations must complete the additional below requirements for regular volunteers:
- Background check with fingerprints to exclude persons with a history of sexual abuse or child abuse.
- Policies and procedures to ensure the prevention and reporting of suspected child abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse.
- The “two-adult-rule”: policies requiring the presence of at least two Mandated Reporters whenever adults at the organization are in contact with or supervising children.
California Official List
The State of California (P.C. 1165.7) currently lists 49 classifications of Mandated Reporters who are required by law to report all forms of child maltreatment.
When to Report
A report must be made when a mandated reporter, in their professional capacity or within the scope of their employment, has knowledge of or observes a child who they know or reasonably suspect has been the victim of child abuse or neglect.
Reasonable Suspicion Defined
“Reasonable suspicion” means that it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain a suspicion, based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person in a like position, drawing on their training and experience, to suspect child abuse or neglect.
Important AB 2085 Changes
AB 2085 narrowed the definition of general neglect in California. Under this law:
- A parent/caregiver’s economic disadvantage is not considered general neglect
- Reports should focus on significant harm or risk to a child’s health, safety, or wellbeing
- Support and resources should be offered when challenges are related to poverty rather than neglect
How to Report
Two steps: call right away, then follow up in writing within 36 hours.
Phone Report
Contact the Fresno County Child Protection Hotline:
- Your name and contact information (can be kept confidential from the family)
- Child’s name, address, present location, and age
- Parent/guardian’s name and address
- Nature and extent of the injury or condition
- Any other relevant information that led to your suspicion
Written Report
After making a phone report, mandated reporters must submit a written report within 36 hours using the Suspected Child Abuse Report (SCAR) Form SS 8572.
- Download the form: Form SS 8572
- Complete all sections thoroughly
- Submit the form to the same agency you called
Where to send the written report Fax (559) 266-2463
Fresno County Department of Social Services
Child Welfare Services
380 W. Ashlan Ave.,
Clovis, CA 93612
Resources for Support
FCCAP offers several training programs for professionals and organizations.
