Compliance

Integrity and Accountability

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA)

UCOP Policy Summary

The California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (“CANRA”), codified at California Penal Code §§ 11164-11174.3, requires that employers of Mandated Reporters (as defined in the Act) promote identification and reporting of child abuse or neglect. It is the policy of the University of California to comply with its obligations under the Act; to require that all University employees and administrators who are Mandated Reporters make required reports to child protection or law enforcement agencies; and more broadly to encourage all members of the University community who observe, have actual knowledge of, or reasonably suspect child abuse or neglect at a University facility or perpetrated by University personnel to promptly report the concern to appropriate external and University officials. 

The UC Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect Policy is designed to ensure that the University fully complies with CANRA.  

An online training course, CANRA Mandated Reporter Training, is available in the UCR Learning Center (LMS).

Mandated Reporters

Mandated Reporters must report observed or suspected child abuse or neglect to agencies designated to receive such reports. These include local police and sheriff’s departments, UC Police Department, and child protective services or county welfare departments.

An internal report made under UCOP Policy is not a substitute for a Mandated Reporter’s required external reports under CANRA or other applicable laws.

Am I a Mandatory Reporter?

For most people who work at UCR, you are a mandatory reporter under CANRA if your duties bring you into contact with children on a regular basis, or if you supervise staff whose duties bring them into contact with children on a regular basis.  Athletic coaches, law enforcement officials, employees working in day care facilities or with youth programs, and health care professionals generally are mandatory reporters under CANRA.  In addition, as of January 1, 2021, employees (faculty or staff) who are designated to receive complaints of discrimination, including Human Resources and Academic Personnel positions as well as staff in the Office of Title IX, Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action, are Mandated Reporters.  Please see Appendix B-1 of the UC CANRA Policy. 

Note: All members of the University community, regardless of whether they are designated as Mandated Reporters, are encouraged to report suspected child abuse or neglect directly to law enforcement officials and/or other designated agencies.

What Abuse or Neglect Do I Need to Report?

Your reporting obligations under CANRA arise when, in the course of your UCR duties, you witness or develop a reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Receiving a report of abuse—including someone telling you about abuse of a child—is one way to develop a reasonable suspicion.  

Reporting Requirements

The following steps should be taken in the event that child abuse or neglect is suspected or observed:

Please note that ALL THREE steps must be taken.

  1. Make a verbal external report to any of the following: local law enforcement, child protective services, or county welfare departments.
  2. No later than 36 hours after the verbal report, fill-out Form SS 8572 and submit it to the agency with whom a verbal report was made. Further guidance on making these external reports is provided below.
  3. Make an internal* report (may be anonymous) to University Compliance Hotline at (800) 403-4744 or http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/hotline/

*This internal reporting requirement does not apply to: (1) clinicians or staff who identify abuse or neglect in connection with the provision of mental health services through Faculty and Staff Assistance Programs; nor (2) victim advocates employed by or volunteering in campus resource or advocacy centers who identify abuse or neglect in connection with their confidential work as advocates.

When making an external report to a local agency:
  1. Call immediately, or as soon as is practicably possible.
    • Give the agency as much detail as possible.
    • State that you are a Mandated Reporter at the University of California, Riverside
    • Tell them you are filing a report under section Penal Code 11160 (or P.C.11165.7(41))
    • Record the name of the person who took the report, along with the report number, a fax number of the agency (if applicable), and the date and time.
  2. Make a written report
    • Written report must be submitted no later than 36 hours after a verbal report
    • Fill out Form SS 8572 
    • Submit form to the agency to whom you spoke with
    • Keep a copy of the form for your records

Violation of the University Policy on Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect may result in disciplinary action consistent with applicable University personnel policies and collective bargaining agreements. Violation of the law requiring Mandated Reporters to promptly report suspected child abuse or neglect may result in criminal penalties including fines, imprisonment, or both.

References

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, Cal. Pen. Code §§ 11164-11174.3. [https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&division=&title=1.&part=4.&chapter=2.&article=2.5]

University of California- Policy CANRA [https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4000603/CANRA]

Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. CANRA Reporting Requirements [https://ucanr.edu/sites/canra/]