Child-Maltreatment-Research-L (CMRL) List Serve

Message ID: 9251

Date: 2012-07-13

Author:Haymond, Teri

Subject:RE: Access to qualified staff on child abuse hotlines

As a mandated reporter in Colorado I’ve experienced this disturbing trend of message centers answering hotline calls. The message center staff took down my name and contact information but didn’t assess the urgency of the report. Outside of speaking to a qualified staff member, I’d rather leave a confidential voicemail with details of the report at the Department of Human Services than talk with a message center. Teri Haymond, LCSW Program Specialist, Family Resouce Centers Child Maltreatment Prevention Unit Injury, Suicide and Violence Prevention Branch Prevention Services Division Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246-1530 303-691-4098 (p) 303-691-7901 (f) Teri.Haymond@state.co.us From: bounce-62499134-34643673@list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-62499134-34643673@list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Sarita Hudson Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 10:16 AM To: Child-Maltreatment-Research-L@cornell.edu Subject: Access to qualified staff on child abuse hotlines We’re seeing these reports on the difficulty of getting through to qualified staff at CPS on state child abuse hotlines. Does anyone know of research at state or national level on current challenges to access or related trends? Anecdotal info would be great as well. NC: Many callers to DSS can't connect with a person Charlotte Observer (North Carolina) June 29, 2012 After dialing the main number, 704-336-3000, callers have several menu options from which to choose. Option two, for people who want to report child or adult abuse, neglect, dependency or exploitation, is the only option where an assistant picked up when an Observer reporter called. http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Many-callers-to-DSS-cant-connect-with-a-person-161740265.html IL: Child abuse hotline callers must leave messages The Associated Press State & Local Wire July 8, 2012 More than 60 percent of calls to Illinois’ child abuse hot line — a resource designed to protect the state’s neglected and battered children — are answered by a message service instead of a welfare specialist, according to a published report Sunday. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services recorded messages for the majority of the 236,000 calls logged over an 11-month period ending May 31, the Chicago Tribune reported. http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x537698130/Child-abuse-hotline-callers-must-leave-messages Sarita Hudson Director of Public Engagement Stop It Now! 351 Pleasant Street, Suite B-319 Northampton, MA 01060 413.587.3500, Ext. 2 413.587.3505 FAX www.StopItNow.org Stop It Now!® prevents the sexual abuse of children by mobilizing adults, families and communities to take action before a child is harmed. We provide support, information and resources for adults to take responsibility for creating safer communities. Your support helps stop abuse If you've visited StopItNow.org, used our materials or Help Services - or referred others to us - please help keep our programming free and available to adults, agencies and communities everywhere. Donate now.

As a mandated reporter in Colorado I’ve experienced this disturbing trend of message centers answering hotline calls. The message center staff took down my name and contact information but didn’t assess the urgency of the report. Outside of speaking to a qualified staff member, I’d rather leave a confidential voicemail with details of the report at the Department of Human Services than talk with a message center. Teri Haymond, LCSW Program Specialist, Family Resouce Centers Child Maltreatment Prevention Unit Injury, Suicide and Violence Prevention Branch Prevention Services Division Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246-1530 303-691-4098 (p) 303-691-7901 (f) Teri.Haymondstate.co.us From: bounce-62499134-34643673list.cornell.edu [mailto:bounce-62499134-34643673list.cornell.edu] On Behalf Of Sarita Hudson Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2012 10:16 AM To: Child-Maltreatment-Research-Lcornell.edu Subject: Access to qualified staff on child abuse hotlines We’re seeing these reports on the difficulty of getting through to qualified staff at CPS on state child abuse hotlines. Does anyone know of research at state or national level on current challenges to access or related trends? Anecdotal info would be great as well. NC: Many callers to DSS can't connect with a person Charlotte Observer (North Carolina) June 29, 2012 After dialing the main number, 704-336-3000, callers have several menu options from which to choose. Option two, for people who want to report child or adult abuse, neglect, dependency or exploitation, is the only option where an assistant picked up when an Observer reporter called. http://www.wcnc.com/news/local/Many-callers-to-DSS-cant-connect-with-a-person-161740265.html IL: Child abuse hotline callers must leave messages The Associated Press State & Local Wire July 8, 2012 More than 60 percent of calls to Illinois’ child abuse hot line — a resource designed to protect the state’s neglected and battered children — are answered by a message service instead of a welfare specialist, according to a published report Sunday. The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services recorded messages for the majority of the 236,000 calls logged over an 11-month period ending May 31, the Chicago Tribune reported. http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x537698130/Child-abuse-hotline-callers-must-leave-messages Sarita Hudson Director of Public Engagement Stop It Now! 351 Pleasant Street, Suite B-319 Northampton, MA 01060 413.587.3500, Ext. 2 413.587.3505 FAX www.StopItNow.org Stop It Now!® prevents the sexual abuse of children by mobilizing adults, families and communities to take action before a child is harmed. We provide support, information and resources for adults to take responsibility for creating safer communities. Your support helps stop abuse If you've visited StopItNow.org, used our materials or Help Services - or referred others to us - please help keep our programming free and available to adults, agencies and communities everywhere. Donate now.