Providers are one part of a larger network of caregivers and community members who work together to keep children safe. When we become aware that a child may not be safe in their home or another environment, we are required to make a report to the Office of Children’s Services (OCS).
See the policy listed below under Documents for the full body of the expected practices. Staff will be aware of this policy and Alaska Statutes AS47.17 listed in the policy. The statute and policy supercede this guideance.
- Providers must report suspected abuse or neglect must report the information within 24-hours to the Department of Health and Social Services, Office of Children’s Services (OCS). The reporting employee shall also be responsible for providing written documentation of the report to OCS by noting the report in the child’s file.
- Contact the main line for OCS at 907-269-4000 locally to report in Anchorage.
Other means of contact:
Hotline (24/7): 1-800-478-4444
Email: ReportChildAbuse@alaska.gov
Fax: 907-269-3939
- If a child is in imminent danger and the employee is unable to contact OCS immediately, they must contact a local law enforcement agency.
- As mandatory reporters, employees that fail to report suspected abuse or neglect are guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
- If needed contact a supervisor or next available member of the management team to report. If the provider cannot locate a manager for guidance, reporting within 24 hours is still required.
The role of management staff is to provide support to employees during what may be a difficult referral. This support is provided by; listening carefully to employee concerns, documenting specific facts, providing emotional support and assisting with follow up collaboration with other agencies, if appropriate.
- Examples of child abuse or neglect:
- Physical injury that harms or threatens a child’s health and welfare.
- Failure to care for a child, including the neglect of the necessary physical (food, shelter, clothing, and medical attention), emotional, mental and social needs.
- Sexual abuse, including molestation or incest.
- Sexual exploitation, including permit-ting or encouraging prostitution or child pornography.
- Child at risk of sexual abuse due to inadequate supervision.
- Mental injury – an injury to the emotional wellbeing, or intellectual, or psychological capacity of a child’s ability to function in a developmentally appropriate manner.
- Maltreatment – a child has suffered substantial harm as a result of abuse or neglect due to an act or omission not necessarily committed by the child’s parent, custodian, or guardian.
- Domestic violence – when a child is present in the home and in danger of mental injury.
- Substance Abuse – where the active caregiver is impaired and there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child has suffered harm.