Illinois DCFS releases public service announcement reminding mandated reporters to report child abuse or neglect

 

[September 29, 2020] 

For months, Illinois children have been isolated at home without teachers, coaches, family or other adults to see them, but that is changing as some sports practices have resumed, annual physicals are scheduled and schools have welcomed students back, either in person or virtually.

Most professionals in education, health care, law enforcement, child care and social work are mandated reporters, and are required by law to call the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873) if they believe a child is being abused or neglected. As these professionals are beginning to see children again, Illinois DCFS today released a new PSA reminding them of their responsibility.

“It is our collective responsibility to keep children safe,” said Illinois DCFS Acting Director Marc D. Smith. “The children who are unable to get help on their own need mandated reporters to be their voice.”

To make a report of suspected child abuse or neglect online in a non-emergency situation, visit https://dcfs
onlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov/.  To make a report by phone, call 1-800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873).

To help mandated reporters understand their vital role in protecting children, DCFS offers a free online on-demand training course entitled Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Training for Mandated Reporters. To access the training, visit www2.illinois.gov/DCFS, then click on About Us and then on Training.

To listen to the PSA, click here: www.illinois.gov/iisradiopsa

About the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)

Founded in 1964, DCFS is responsible for protecting children from abuse or neglect by responding to calls received on the Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873). With the goal of keeping children safe, DCFS strengthens and supports families with a wide range of services. When keeping a child safe means removing them from the home, DCFS makes every effort to reunite them with their family. When the best interest of the child makes this impossible, DCFS is committed to pursuing adoption by loving families to provide children with a safe and permanent home. DCFS is also responsible for licensing and monitoring of all Illinois child welfare agencies.

[Deborah Lopez]