Mandated Reporting

New Hampshire law (RSA 169-C: 29) is clear that any person having reason to
suspect that a child has been abused or neglected is required to report that
suspicion to the Central Intake Unit of the New Hampshire Division for Children,
Youth and Families (DCYF). The staff at the DCYF Central Intake Unit is entirely
composed of people who have worked in the field and who can be used as
consultants. Once a report is made, the Central Intake Unit will review the report
and determine if an assessment by the local DCYF office is needed. If a
situation does not rise to the level of assignment for an assessment, the report
will be retained at the Central Intake Unit for one year. If a further report is made
on this same family within the year, a re-determination will be made as to if
DCYF involvement is warranted. The bottom line is, if you are unsure whether or
not to make a call, MAKE THE CALL and discuss it with a DCYF Intake Worker.
RSA 169-C-3, II, defines an abused child as “…a child who has been:

• Sexually abused;
• Intentionally physically injured;
• Psychologically injured so that said child exhibits symptoms of emotional
  problems generally recognized to result from consistent mistreatment or
  neglect;
• Physically injured by other than accidental means.”

RSA 169 –C: 3, XIX defines a neglected child as a child:

• “Who has been abandoned by his parents, guardian, or custodian; or
• Who is without proper parental care or control, subsistenance, education as required by law, or other care or control necessary for his physical, mental, or emotional health, when it is established that his health has suffered or is very likely to suffer serious impairment; and the deprivation is not due primarily to the lack of financial means of the parents, guardian or custodian; or
• Whose parents, guardian or custodian are unable to discharge their responsibilities to and for the child because of incarceration, hospitalization or other physical or mental incapacity…”

For any after hours emergencies please contact local police in the town where the incident is occurring.

Anytime you suspect there is abuse and/or neglect you are mandated to report. The Intake Worker will use your report and other resources to determine if an assessment (investigation) is warranted.

Some agencies have internal protocols regarding when and how to report such as informing a superior or requesting a superior’s permission prior to reporting. This is not law or DCYF policy. Please do not allow these protocols to impede your report. If you are unable to meet with your superior immediately, make the report to DCYF and follow up with your superior at a later time. If you suspect abuse and/or neglect you are mandated to report even if your superior does not agree.

In addition to reporting suspected child abuse to DCYF Central Intake, you may make a report to local police, as DCYF and law enforcement conduct joint child abuse investigations.