Are you concerned about a child or family?
We all play a role in supporting children and families in our communities.
PCA Oregon is NOT part of the Oregon Dept. of Human Services Child Welfare. We are an independent, statewide non-profit organization and we do not function as an avenue for reporting child abuse. If you have sought us out to make a report of child abuse or other concern, please refer to the appropriate channels outlined below.
If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, call 911
Report child abuse: 855-503-SAFE (7233)
Calm a crying baby: 1-800-4A-CHILD
Important
Phone Numbers
Do I Report or Support?
If you’re in a position to make a report about a child or family, you are also in the position to provide support.
This table offers some signs and actions for supporting families and reporting child maltreatment (Retrieved from Prevent Child Abuse Arizona)
Check out the PCA AZ’s Lean on Me campaign to learn more about how to be a community supporter!
Signs
Support
Parent/caregiver is unsure of local resources
Child(ren) mentioning hunger
Lack of appropriate or clean clothing
Parent/caregiver navigating challenging child behavior in public spaces
Parent/caregiver reaches out for help, support, or guidance around stressors they’re experiencing
Report
Child discloses physical or sexual abuse to you
Unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts
Sudden change in behavior, such as being fearful or shying away from touch
Untreated illness or untreated physical injuries
Actions
Report
Call the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline (ORCAH): 855-503-SAFE (7233)
Watch the ODHS mandatory reporter training video here (30 minutes).
Read the ODHS “What You Can Do About Child Abuse” here.
Apply trauma-informed care practices throughout the mandatory reporting process. More information about trauma-informed mandatory reporting can be found here (created by Oregon’s Sexual Assault Task Force).
Data shows that a high number (80-90%) of calls to child welfare across the nation are not substantiated for abuse or neglect, and often could be avoided if families had ready access to support in their community to ensure their needs are being met.
Support
When you see an overwhelmed parent/caregiver, offer their child a compliment or tell the parent/caregiver they’re doing a good job. You never know what a difference a quick encouragement can make.
Get to know your neighbors! Exchange phone numbers for small needs or emergencies.
Meet with the family and share your concerns. Ask them if there is anything you may do to help.
Be a search engine for local resources. It can be intimidating to find what you need when you need it. Offer to help parents/caregivers research local resources.
Reporting
If you are a mandatory reporter identified by the Oregon Revised Statute 419B, it is critical to familiarize yourself with Oregon mandatory reporting requirements and pursue appropriate training in order to reduce harm and retraumatization. There are disproportionate impacts of mandatory reporting on communities who have historically been marginalized, surveilled, and/or harmed by systems such as law enforcement and child welfare.
Mandatory Reporting is not Neutral - Resources. Check out the webinars on this page to learn more about how communities can work together to prevent child maltreatment, AND reduce harm and retraumatization associated with the mandatory reporting process. We urge you to learn more about, and implement, harm reduction mandatory reporting practices if you suspect abuse and need to make a report.
Some practices include:
Understand your state’s mandatory reporting statutes
Know when a report is or isn’t mandated
Clarify your program practices around mandated reporting
Work through case studies as a department/org to sharpen discernment about when a report is and isn’t mandated
Anticipate and plan for the repercussions of a report to CPS or law enforcement - meaningfully safety plan with the person you’re supporting.
Retrieved from Just Beginnings Collaborative and Mandated Reporting is not Neutral, 2023.
Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force created resources explaining what happens when a report is made and other options that exist, including Confidential Advocacy. Explore these resources to equip yourself with additional context and understanding around mandatory reporting, and other avenues for getting families connected to help. It's important to follow laws and organizational policies around things like mandatory reporting. We offer these as a supplement to help frame reporting in a more nuanced, intentional way.
The Oregon Dept. of Human Services has provided this guide for mandatory reporting. . Oregon Child Abuse Solutions offers additional information on what to expect when you make a call to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline (ORCAH).
More on Reporting
Reporting is not the only way we can protect children – the first and best way to prevent child maltreatment before it happens is to support families.
The Oregon Child Abuse Hotline (ORCAH) is not designed to be a resource referral service for families in need – this is the role of other organizations and people who care (ie. schools, family resource centers, churches, community-based organizations, and community members like YOU).
Supporting
Many of the needs of families cannot be met by child welfare systems alone, nor should they need to be. We are in this together, and we will continue working toward a future where children and families have access to all they need to thrive and live happy, healthy lives.
There is a critical role for local organizations, policy makers, and community members to support children and families to thrive in the context of their own community, long before harm occurs. We are working with our partners to create, support, and uplift equitable and just avenues to accessing.
How can I act as a community supporter for children and families?
View families through a lens of empathy, non-judgment, and respect.
Look for, and build upon, family protective factors. Research shows protective factors buffer stress and prevent child maltreatment.
Volunteer in your community! Learn more about the resources available to children and families.
PCA Oregon believes in community supporters just as much as mandatory reporters. We all have a role in preventing child maltreatment before it occurs.
Important
Phone Numbers
If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, call 911
Report child abuse: 855-503-SAFE (7233)
Calm a crying baby: 1-800-4A-CHILD