The Full Informed Consent: Mandated Reporting to Child Protective Services (CPS) in Child Mental Health

Child mental health providers typically require parents initiating care to sign a “Notice of Privacy Practices” indicating that providers are mandated reporters legally required to report actual or suspected instances of abuse and neglect of a minor. Some providers might also explain the reporting mandate during an opening session. What is not often discussed, however, is what the reporting process looks like, how families and children are notified, and what if any responsibility providers take to protect families of color from reporting’s endemic racism.