Social Services Adults Legal

Mandated Reporting
What?
Mandated reporters are a group of professionals that are required to report suspected maltreatment, abuse, neglect or exploitation. The consequence of not reporting is the possibility of being charged with a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony depending on what happens to the child as the result of failure to report. As of 2012, Minnesota law requires mandated reporters to report women consuming alcohol habitually or excessively during pregnancy. Medical and social service professionals are exempt from reporting if they are providing the women with prenatal or health care services.

Who?
There are several professionals that are mandated reporters, including: Health care personnel: hospital administrators, medical professionals and personnel, dental professionals Social services professionals: social workers, group home staff, foster parents Education professionals: teachers and assistants, school administrators, school support staff Mental health professionals: psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists Child care professionals: home child care providers, child care center staff Law enforcement professionals Guardians ad Litem Corrections management and staff Probation officers

How?
Mandated reporters are required to notify child protective services. If a mandated reporter suspects a pregnant woman is drinking alcohol habitually or excessively, then the reporter is required to report to the local welfare agency. The welfare agency will then take appropriate steps. These steps include referring the woman for a chemical dependency assessment or treatment, and/ or emergency admission to treatment. Treatment programs that serve pregnant women and their children can be found in the MOFAS Resource Directory.

Many times, children who are affected by an FASD are not reliable reporters of the events that have happened to them. They may not grasp the concept of time, or may substitute one person for another in their memories. Especially for kids with traumatic histories, this can lead to unreliable reporting of events. It is important not to jump to conclusions and fully investigate what may have happened to an individual. I have been a mandated reporter for six years now and have had to make many reports, but I always try to do so without bias and with as much information as possible. -Molly, parent and social worker

Where?
Visit the Hennepin County website. Look at the Minnesota Department of Human Services training guide. Refer to the Substance Abuse During Pregnancy brief.