DCS Frequently Asked Questions -

Navigate

Home

Who Are We?

Department Information

Employment Opportunities

Questions & Answers

Welcome

Reporting Child Abuse

What's New

Mandated Reporters

Heart Gallery

HSNet

Learn More

Learn More

Recognize the Warning Signs

•	Nervousness around adults
•	Aggression toward adults or other children
•	Sudden, dramatic changes in personality or activities
•	Frequent or unexplained bruises or injuries
•	Low self-esteem

If you see these signs in any children you know, offer your help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I report Child Abuse?

I'm a mandated reporter and I need to report child abuse, what do I do?

How do I find Licensed Child Care?

San Bernardino County Emancipated Foster Youth

How old must a child be to be left home alone?

What should be reported to Children and Family Services?

What happens when I report Child Abuse?

What Information do I need to make a Child Abuse Report?

How do I access information on Child Care Center complaints?

Who should report allegations of abuse or neglect to Children and Family Services?

What are some indicators of child maltreatment?

What are the common signs of child maltreatment?

What are the criteria for reporting suspected child abuse/neglect?

Who do I contact for Mandated Reporter Training?

I was Adopted. How do I get information on my case?

How do I become a Foster or Adoptive Parent?

Where do I find resources in San Bernardino County?

I would like to volunteer with Children and Family Services, who do I contact?

I’m an undergraduate student in Social Work, and need an internship, who do I contact?

I’m an undergraduate student in attending technical or business school and need an internship, who do I contact?

I’m an undergraduate student in Sociology, Human Services or a closely related field and need an internship, who do I contact?

I’m in the Graduate Program in Social Work and need an internship, who do I contact?

I’m in the Graduate Program in Sociology, Human Services or a closely related field and need an internship, who do I contact?

Q: How do I report Child Abuse?

A:

In San Bernardino area call: 384-9233

Outside of the San Bernardino area call: 1-800-827-8724

Local law enforcement

Q: I'm a mandated reporter and I need to report child abuse, what do I do?

A: 1. Call the child abuse hotline at 909-384-9233(San Bernardino area) or 1-800-827-8724 (outside of San Bernardino).

2. Complete a Suspected Child Abuse Report (SS 8572 Rev 12/02) for each child that you report and fax it to 909-891-3545 or 909-891-3560. You do not need to mail the original. If you do not have access to a fax machine, mail the form attention: Child Abuse Hotline, PO Box 6083, San Bernardino 92412.

Q: How do I find Licensed Child Care?

A: Call KidsNCare Resource and Referral at 909-384-1492 or go to www.kidsncare.com.

Kids-N-Care Website

Q: I'm a San Bernardino County Emancipated Foster Youth that aged out of the system and I need Medi-cal/Medicaid, who do I contact?

A: Contact the Colton Temporary Assistance Department
2040 Woodpine Ave. Colton CA 92324
(909) 421-4029

Q: How old must a child be to be left home alone?

A: Supervision of children is basic to the prevention of harm. Adequate supervision means an adult caregiver is accountable for the child's care. Although, there is no California law that defines a specific age at which a child may be left home alone, there are several factors that should be taken into consideration when deciding how closely to supervise a child, including:

• the age, emotional maturity and capability of the child;
• layout and safety of the home, play area, or other setting;
• neighborhood circumstances, hazards, and risks;
• the child's ability to respond to illness, fire, weather, or other types of emergencies; and
• whether the child has a mental, physical, or medical disability.

The number of children left unsupervised, the accessibility to other responsible adults, the length of time or frequency with which the child is left alone, and the child's knowledge of the parent's whereabouts are additional relevant factors.

Q: What should be reported to Children and Family Services?

A: Child abuse and neglect occurs when a child is mistreated, resulting in injury or risk of harm. Abuse can be physical, verbal, emotional or sexual.

Physical Abuse is defined as non-accidental physical trauma or injury inflicted by a parent or caretaker on a child. It also includes a parent's or a caretaker's failure to protect a child from another person who perpetrated physical abuse on a child. In its most severe form, physical abuse is likely to cause great bodily harm or death.

Physical Neglect is defined, as the failure to provide for a child's physical survival needs to the extent that there is harm or risk of harm to the child's health or safety. This may include, but is not limited to abandonment, lack of supervision, life endangering physical hygiene, lack of adequate nutrition that places the child below the normal growth curve, lack of shelter, lack of medical or dental that results in health threatening conditions, and the inability to meet basic clothing needs of a child. In its most severe form, physical neglect may result in great bodily harm or death.

Sexual Abuse includes penetration or external touching of a child's intimate parts, oral sex with a child, indecent exposure or any other sexual act performed in a child's presence for sexual gratification, sexual use of a child for prostitution, and the manufacturing of child pornography. Child sexual abuse is also the willful failure of the parent or the child's caretaker to make a reasonable effort to stop child sexual abuse by another person.

Emotional Abuse includes verbal assaults, ignoring and indifference or constant family conflict. If a child is degraded enough, the child will begin to live up to the image communicated by the abusing parent or caretaker.

Child abuse can happen anywhere; in poor, middle-class or well-to-do homes, in rural or urban areas.

Q: What happens when I report Child Abuse?

A: When a person notifies the Children and Family Services regarding possible abuse or neglect of a child, Children and Family Services social work staff determines how quickly to proceed with an investigation by assessing the referral information and focusing on the present and future risks to the child. Considering the condition of the child and the risk of future maltreatment helps a social worker determine how quickly to respond to a CPS referral and what priority to assign that referral. This process involves accepting oral or written allegations of child abuse or neglect for further investigation, gathering the information to determine the need for CPS and the urgency of the situation and initiating the appropriate response and an investigative plan.

Q: What Information do I need to make a Child Abuse Report?

A: Nature of the harm or specific incident(s) that precipitated the report

• Date(s) and descriptions(s) of the injuries or dangers
• Identities of perpetrator(s) (alleged abuser) and their relationship/s to the victim
• Witnesses to the incident(s) and how they may be reached
• Details of any physical evidence available (What types of injuries or types of danger exists? When did they happen? Where did they happen?)
• Does the perpetrator(s) (alleged abuser) have current access to the child
• Present condition of the child (alone, in need of medical attention, etc.)
• The location of the child and directions to get there
• Any statements from the child
• How the reporter came to know the information and the reporter's thoughts about the likelihood of further harm to the child(ren).
These are just several examples of the questions that may be asked when reporting abuse or neglect of children. The reporter's identity is confidential, but a name should be given so the Department could follow-up contact with the reporter if necessary. The reporter is free from civil or criminal liability for reports of suspected child abuse or neglect made in good faith.

Q: How do I access information on Child Care Center complaints?

A: Contact Child Care Licensing at 951-782-4200.

Q: Who should report allegations of abuse or neglect to Children and Family Services?

A: Children and Family Services encourages everyone to report suspected child abuse and neglect. The exception is those professions that have an inherent responsibility to report by virtue of their positions, and thus they are mandated to report suspected child abuse and neglect. Mandated reporters are those individuals who in the course of their work come in contact with families and children.

The following professionals are Mandated reporters (Penal Code Section 11165.7) and as such are required to report suspected/alleged child abuse and neglect to a child protective agency (police or CPS) and file a mandated reporter form within 36 hours of submitting an oral report.

Any one whose duties require direct contact and supervision of children.

Medical, Dental and Hospital Personnel. (including physicians, surgeons, dentists, residents, interns, podiatrists, chiropractors, licensed nurses, dental hygienists, optometrists, medical examiners, coroners, emergency medical technicians I & II, paramedics.)

Mental Health Professionals and Counselors (including psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed and unlicensed marriage, family and child counselors and trainees, psychological assistants, alcohol and drug counselors.)

School Officials and Educators (including public, classified or private: teachers, instructional aides, teacher’s assistants, administrative officers, supervisors of child welfare and attendance, administrators or employees of a county office of education or the California Department of Education, school police.)

Social Service Personnel (including: public assistance workers, social workers, clinical social workers, child visitation monitors, county welfare employees.)

Clergy (including priests, ministers, rabbis, religious practitioners, or similarly functionary of a church, temple or recognized denomination or organization.)

Day Camp or Child-Care Providers (including public or private: administrators, licensees & employees of any youth center, youth recreational program, youth organization, licensed community care or child day care facility.)

Commercial Film and Photographic Print Processors (including those that develop exposed negatives, slides, or prints.)

Law Enforcement Personnel (including: any employee of any police department, county sheriff’s department, and county probation department. This includes probation officers, parole officers, police officers, peace officers & custodial officers.

Q: What are some indicators of child maltreatment?

A: They fall into four general categories:

Physical Abuse: unexplained bruises, welts, human bite marks, bald spots; unexplained burns, cigarette or immersion burns; unexplained fractures, lacerations, or abrasions.

Neglect Abuse: abandonment; unattended medical needs; consistent lack of supervision; consistent hunger; inappropriate dress; and poor hygiene.

Sexual Abuse: torn, stained or bloody underclothing; pain or itching in the genital area; difficulty walking or sitting; bruises or bleeding in the external genitalia; venereal disease; frequent urinary or yeast infections.

Emotional Abuse: speech disorders; delayed physical development; witnessing domestic violence; substance abuse; increased severity in existing conditions.

Q: What are the common signs of child maltreatment?

A: REPEATED INJURIES: Bruises, welts, burns. Parents may seem unconcerned, deny that anything is wrong, or give unlikely explanations for the injuries.

NEGLECTED APPEARANCE: Children often are badly nourished, inadequately clothed, are left alone or are wandering at all hours, always seem as if nobody cares. (Sometimes, though, over-neatness may be a sign of abuse.)

DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR: Very aggressive, negative behavior constantly repeated can signal a desperate need for attention and help.

PASSIVE WITHDRAWN BEHAVIOR: When children are excessively shy and friendless, it may indicate that there are serious problems at home.

PARENTS WHO ARE "SUPER-CRITICAL": Parents who discipline their children frequently and severely may begin to abuse them when their unrealistic standards are not met.

FAMILIES THAT ARE EXTREMELY ISOLATED: Parents who don't share in school or community activities and resent friendly contacts may be distrustful of people, afraid of their help.

Use caution and good sense in identifying child abuse. Every parents makes errors in judgment and action at some time but when it becomes plain that there is a pattern or it is becoming one, then it's time for help.

Q: What are the criteria for reporting suspected child abuse/neglect?

A:
The report pertains to a child under the age of 18 years.
The report alleges harm or imminent risk of harm to the child.
The alleged perpetrator is:
• a parent or caretaker
• a relative or other person living in the home
• an educator, volunteer, or employee of a recreational/organizational setting who is responsible for the child; or any individual providing treatment, care or supervision.

Q: Who do I contact for Mandated Reporter Training?

A: Online Mandated Reporter Training is now available through the following internet link.

Online Mandated Reporter Training

You may also contact PERC at 909-458-1616.

Q: I was Adopted. How do I get information on my case?

A: If you were adopted through San Bernardino County Adoptions, CFS can open your case record and give you non-identifying information about your birth parents and how they made the difficult decision to place you. You also have access to any social and medical information that is contained in your record.

It is suggested that you write a letter to San Bernardino County Adoptions, 9638 7th Street, Rancho Cucamonga, Ca 91730, stating what information you are seeking. You will be sent paperwork to get you started on the process of obtaining information from your records. You will also be given, at some point, a 'waiver of confidentiality' in case you would want to have contact if your birth parents contact our agency for information about you. This “waiver of confidentiality” form can be placed in your file. With this form in the file, if your birth parents contact the agency for information about you, this form says that we have permission to then provide your information to them or contact you to tell you they inquired about you.

We cannot initiate contact with you or your birth parents, but if you and they put a waiver in your case file, we can facilitate contact between you.

For Post-Adoption information please contact Martha Allen (909) 891-3668 or Malene Evans (909) 891-3561.

Q: How do I become a Foster or Adoptive Parent?

A: First, you must attend an Orientation Meeting. Call 1-800-722-4477 to find out dates and locations. The application process will be explained in more detail at these meetings.

Some information can be obtained through the following link:
Become a Foster/Adoptive Parent Announcement

Q: Where do I find resources in San Bernardino County?

A: Click on the following links: Resource Databank or 211

Q: I would like to volunteer with Children and Family Services, who do I contact?

A: Please contact Gwendolyn Heard-Nelson at (909)891-3674.

Q: I’m an undergraduate student in Social Work, and need an internship, who do I contact?

A: Due to the criteria for internship placement and stringent guidelines of each Social Work Department you will need to speak to a Social Work Department advisor first. Once you obtain all guidelines from your department contact Carol Sittig (909) 891-3617.

Q: I’m an undergraduate student in attending technical or business school and need an internship, who do I contact?

A: DCS is currently unable to offer any field experience for undergraduates or individuals in technical or business schools. If you are interested in exposure to the field of Social Work please volunteer by calling (909)891-3501. To volunteer in San Bernardino County please visit the following webpage and complete the Volunteer/Unpaid Student Intern Application at the following link: Volunteer Unpaid Student Intern Application

Q: I’m an undergraduate student in Sociology, Human Services or a closely related field and need an internship, who do I contact?

A: DCS is currently unable to offer any field experience for undergraduates or individuals in technical or business schools. If you are interested in exposure to the field of Social Work please volunteer by calling (909)891-3501. To volunteer in San Bernardino County please visit the following webpage and complete the Volunteer/Unpaid Student Intern Application at the following link: Volunteer Unpaid Student Intern Application

Q: I’m in the Graduate Program in Social Work and need an internship, who do I contact?

A: Due to the criteria for internship placement and stringent guidelines of each Social Work Department you will need to speak to a Social Work Department advisor first. Once you obtain all guidelines from your department contact Sally Richter at (909) 386-1378.

Q: I’m in the Graduate Program in Sociology, Human Services or a closely related field and need an internship, who do I contact?

A: DCS is currently unable to offer any field experience for fields other than Social Work. If you are interested in exposure to the field of Social Work please volunteer by calling (909)891-3501. To volunteer in San Bernardino County please visit the following webpage and complete the Volunteer/Unpaid Student Intern Application at the following link: Volunteer Unpaid Student Intern Application

Click Here For Admin Shared Bottom Border


			[ Home ] [ Frequently Asked Questions ] [ Heart Gallery ] [ Contact Us ] [ Events Calendar ] [ Making News ]