What Do I Have to Report?

You’ll need to report the incidents and changes listed on this page. Read each section to find out how to report.

Report a missing child or youth

If the child or youth is missing, follow these steps:

1. Notify all of these as soon as you realize that the child or youth is missing (no more than 24 hours later):
   • Law enforcement or tribal law enforcement, and
   • National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678, and
   • The child or youth's caseworker (or department intake at 1-866-363-4276 if you cannot contact the child or youth’s caseworker directly or it’s after normal business hours)
2. Provide law enforcement and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children with:
   • A recent photo of the child or youth
   • A description of the child or youth, including:
     • Height
     • Weight
     • Gender
     • Ethnicity
     • Race
     • Hair color
     • Eye color
   • Any other health or risk factors, including:
     • If the child or youth is pregnant
     • Their prescription medications
     • If the child or youth has suicidal tendencies
     • If the child or youth is vulnerable to being sex trafficked
3. If you find out where the child or youth is, or they return home, report this to the caseworker or department intake.

Report health and safety incidents

Abuse, harm, or death

Immediately contact the department intake at 1-866-363-4276 if the child or youth:

• Dies or is near death
• Has been physically or sexually abused, neglected, or exploited (or if you suspect they have been)
• Has had sexual contact with another child or youth that is not consensual or age or developmentally appropriate

Physical restraint

Within 24 hours, report behavior to your child or youth's caseworker that resulted in physical restraint. This includes restraining a child or youth to save them from harm.

If you don't have the caseworker's contact information, search our directory.

If the caseworker is not available or it is after normal business hours, call department intake at 1-866-363-4276.

Medical emergencies

Within 48 hours, report medical emergencies to the child or youth’s caseworker. Examples include:

• Medication given or taken wrong
• Serious illness or injury (e.g. the child or youth went to the hospital, they broke a bone, or they needed stitches)
• Disclosed suicidal or homicidal thoughts, gestures, or attempts
• Emergency medical treatment
• Emergency psychiatric care

If you don't have the caseworker's contact information, search our directory.

If the caseworker is not available or it is after normal business hours, call department intake at 1-866-363-4276.

Report changes in your home or household

You must report the changes listed in this section to your licensor. DCYF or the child-placing agency may need you to complete a new or updated assessment when you renew your license.

Changes in your home

Report changes in your home to your licensor immediately, including:

• Your address or telephone number has changed.
• Your home has structural damage.
• You plan to change the structure of your home.
• You plan to move.

Household changes

Report household changes to your licensor immediately, including:

• You have a new spouse or partner.
• You separate from your spouse or partner.
• Someone who has access to the child or youth is arrested.
• A caregiver for the child or youth dies.
• Someone moves in or out of the home or property.
• You or someone in the household has a change in physical or mental health that interferes with the child or youth’s care.
• You experience any medical changes, including changes to your prescription drugs, that affect your ability to care for the child or youth.