Disclosure of Confidential Child Abuse and Neglect Records
Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau
Abstract
State child protective services agencies are required
to maintain records of the reports of suspected
child abuse and neglect that they receive. These
reports include identifying information about the
child, the child’s family, conditions in the child’s
home environment, the nature and extent of
the child’s injuries, and information about other
children in the same environment. Agency records
also may include other information submitted by
the reporter, including photographs and medical
records, as well as the results of any assessments
or investigations completed by the agency. These
records are maintained by state child protection or
social services agencies to aid in the investigation,
treatment, and prevention of child abuse and to
maintain statistical information for staffing and
funding purposes. In many states, these records
and the results of investigations are maintained in
databases, which often are called central registries.1
The type of information retained in central registries
and agency records and access to this information
vary from state to state
Description
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Article
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Keywords
state statutes, confidentiality, child welfare, records
Citation
Child Welfare Information Gateway. (2017). Disclosure of confidential child abuse and neglect records. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau.