NYS MANDATED
REPORTING
OF
CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT
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State Central Registry (For Mandated Reporters)
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Westchester County Child Protective Services
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Reporting Form
(October
2008)
NEW YORK STATE LAW
Effective February 1, 2002, a change in § 413 of the Social Services Law was implemented to require certified EMS workers (not including Certified First Responders) to serve as Mandated Reporters of suspected child abuse or maltreatment. Estimating that 1,000,000 cases of child abuse are confirmed each year (that is an approximate death rate of 3 children a day) in the United States alone, intervention as early as the Pre-Hospital level may be vital in protecting the rights of your pediatric patients.
10NYCRR Part 800.21(p)(11)(ii) requires all ambulance services to have and enforce a written policy regarding child abuse. Agency policies need to address Prehospital Care Report (PCR) documentation, Emergency Room staff notification, contacting the NYS Child Abuse and Maltreatment Register, and the completion of form DSS-2221-A.
New York State DOH has not mandated a specific curriculum or specialized course for child abuse, however the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and the EMS for Children (EMSC) office have been working together to offer instructional programs targeted at EMS. More information regarding courses can be obtained by contacting either program.
"METH" LABS & MANDATED CHILD ABUSE REPORTERS
In November 2005, legislation was enacted concerning the recognition of clandestine methamphetamine laboratories. This law requires certain employers to provide information to their employees on recognizing these unlawful and hazardous drug factories. It also stipulates that if a NYS Mandated Child Abuse and Neglect Reporter comes across one of these operations, a report to the Child Abuse Central Registry must be filed if it is suspected that children may be present at the site. As NYS Mandated Reporters, this law applies to EMS providers.
A brochure that has important information for emergency responders impacted by this law can be found going to the following website:
http://www.oasas.state.ny.us/meth/documents/MethTrifold.pdf
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS
New York State Central Child Abuse & Maltreatment Register
(SCR)
Mandated Reporters ONLY
1-800-635-1522
Non-Mandated Reporters
(also to be used for "off duty" mandated reporters)
1-800-342-3720
Westchester County Child Protective
Services
(914) 995-6054
(Weekdays 9am-4pm)
(914) 995-2099
(4pm-9am & Weekends
/ Holidays)
REPORTING FORM (MANDATED REPORTERS ONLY)
This form must be completed and submitted within 48 hours of the telephone report:
(Links to NYS Office of Children and Family Services)
NYS Child Abuse/Maltreatment Reporting Form - DSS-221-A
http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/Forms/cps/LDSS-2221A%20Report%20of%20Suspected%20Child%20Abuse%20or%20Maltreatment.pdfNYS Child Abuse/Maltreatment Reporting Form - DSS-221-A
http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/Forms/cps/LDSS-2221A%20Report%20of%20Suspected%20Child%20Abuse%20or%20Maltreatment.docThe 2 original signed copies of the reporting form must be mailed to the Child Protective Service (CPS) Office having jurisdiction. In Westchester County:
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Westchester County Child Protective Services Program Office
112 East Post Rd
White Plains, NY 10601
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
More information is available on the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (NYSDOH BEMS) website:
NYSDOH BEMS Policy No. 02-01 Re: Requirements to report instances of suspected child abuse or maltreatment
(Available in HTML or PDF)
NYSDOH BEMS Guidance letter regarding the Mandatory Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect by EMTs - March 2002 (PDF)
Agencies may also contact the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) at http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us or by calling (518) 474-4670.
The Westchester County Child Protective Services Program can be found online at http://www.westchestergov.com/social/default.htm
If any agency needs assistance in training or policy development, please contact the Regional EMS Office at (914) 231-1616, or wremsco@wremsco.com.