Rhode Island
Mandated reporters are individuals who are legally required to report known or suspected abuse and neglect of vulnerable populations to state and/or local authorities. Laws surrounding mandated reporting vary from state-to-state so please ensure your familiarity with your state's laws regarding individuals who are required to report known or suspected abuse and neglect.
Links
- State regulation.
- State training and resources.
- Abuse hotline: 1-800-RI-CHILD.
The Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check must be completed prior to a person working or serving in any role subject to a check.
- Notification of the results of the check is provided to the applicant and employer or requesting organization, providing that the applicant has authorized the release of information.
- Child Abuse and Neglect Registry checks are completed during the renewal process for all Department licenses.
- Documentation is as follows:
- All information obtained through the check for individuals referenced in Section III.A.1. -9., and Section III.A.13 is recorded on Form #035 and included in the hard copy record.
- All information obtained through the check for individuals referenced in Section III.A.10-12, and Section III.A.14.-16, is recorded on the Form #035A (Department Clearance Request/Results (Facility) and included in the hard copy record.
- In emergencies, a complete check of this information cannot delay the processing of a referral. There may only be time to determine if the subject of the report is currently active with the Department or has had prior Departmental involvement. The assigned worker is responsible for ensuring that a comprehensive Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check is completed as soon as possible, in accordance with DOP: 700.0035, Kinship Care.
- The result of the check for an emergency kinship (child-specific relative and non-relative) placement resource is documented on the Form #035. •During the course of conducting the Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check, staff may discover information about the applicant, not relating to disqualifying child abuse and/or neglect information, which he or she believes poses a risk of physical injury by the person to himself or herself or others.
- Staff may believe that disclosure of the records is necessary to reduce that risk.
- In this situation, staff consults the Department’s chief legal counsel to determine if disclosure of this information is permissible under RIGL 42-72-8, Confidentiality of Records.
Providers can request a Child Abuse and Neglect Registry check from the Department of Children, Youth and Families online via the following weblink: ri.gov/DCYF/clearancerequest.
Unable to locate an Adult Abuse Registry.
