Who must report suspected child abuse or neglect?
Any individual who has one of the following roles is required by law to report suspected child abuse, neglect, or sexual exploitation. They must also take training to learn about child abuse and how to report it.
- licensed physician or surgeon
- resident physician or intern in any hospital in this state, whether or not so licensed
- registered nurse
- licensed practical nurse
- medical examiner
- dentist
- dental hygienist
- psychologist
- school employee
- (“School employee” means:
- A teacher, substitute teacher, school administrator, school superintendent, guidance counselor, psychologist, social worker, nurse, physician, school paraprofessional or coach employed by a local or regional board of education or a private elementary, middle, or high school or working in a public or private elementary, middle, or high school;
- any other person who, in the performance of his or her duties, has regular contact with students (such as public and private school bus drivers) and who provides services to or on behalf of students enrolled in
- a public elementary, middle, or high school, pursuant to a contract with the local or regional board of education, or
- a private elementary, middle, or high school, pursuant to a contract with the supervisory agent of such private school.)
- (“School employee” means:
- social worker
- any person who holds or is issued a coaching permit by the State Board of Education, is a coach of intramural or interscholastic athletics, and is eighteen years of age or older
- any individual who is employed as a coach or director of youth athletics and is eighteen years of age or older
- any individual who is employed as a coach or director of a private youth sports organization, league or team and is eighteen years of age or older
- any paid administrator, faculty, staff, athletic director, athletic coach, or athletic trainer employed by a public or private institution of higher education who is eighteen years of age or older, excluding student employees
- police officer
- juvenile or adult probation officer
- juvenile or adult parole officer
- member of the clergy
- pharmacist
- physical therapist
- optometrist
- chiropractor
- podiatrist
- mental health professional
- physician assistant
- licensed or certified emergency medical services provider
- licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor
- licensed marital and family therapist
- sexual assault counselor or a domestic violence counselor
- licensed professional counselor
- licensed foster parent
- paid childcare in any public or private facility, child day care center, group day care home or family day care home licensed by the state
- employee of the Department of Children and Families
- Department of Public Health employee or Office of Early Childhood employee responsible for the licensing of child day care centers, group day care homes, family day care homes or youth camps
- paid youth camp director or assistant director
- the Child Advocate and any employee of the Office of the Child Advocate
- family relations counselor, family relations counselor trainee, or family services supervisor employed by the Judicial Department
- licensed behavior analyst (added July 1, 2018)
The list is based on Connecticut General Statute Chapter 319a Section 17a-101a.
Q. Do I have to notify the parents that I made a report?
A. Mandated reporters are under no legal obligation to inform parents that they have made a report to DCF about their child. However, depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary and/or beneficial to do so.
- When a child is suspected of being abused, neglected or placed at imminent risk of serious harm by a member of the staff of a private or public school or an institution that cares for the child, the person in charge of the school or facility must notify the child’s parent or other person responsible for the child’s care that a report has been made. It is DCF’s responsibility to notify the head of such school, facility or institution that a report has been made.
- Health care professionals may need to talk with parents to assess the cause of the child’s injury(ies). Mental health professionals or members of the clergy may want to talk with the parents to offer support and guidance.
However, in cases of serious physical abuse or sexual abuse, it may not be wise to talk with parents before reporting the case to DCF. This may put the child at greater risk and could interfere with a potential criminal investigation.