REPORTING CHILD ABUSE

To report child abuse in Fresno County, California, contact the Child Protection Hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

Phone: (559) 600-8320
Fax: (559) 266-2463
*Mandated Reporters: Please fax your SCAR to this fax number. 

Free Online Mandated Reporter Training

Note: Includes links to the Mandated Reporting Form 8572 as well as helpful guides and a list of California CPS phone numbers.

The purpose and mission of the Child Protection Hotline (CPH) is:

• To receive calls of abuse and neglect involving children and parents / guardians / caregivers in the home and assess the level of endangerment.
• To obtain factual information regarding a specific incident and generate a referral for investigation, if appropriate.
• To document and transmit all referrals of child endangerment to the appropriate office, timely.
• To ensure child safety and protection.

During the evening, at night, on weekends and on holidays CPH will forward the info to stand by Social Workers to provide protective services to children in life threatening situations. Social Workers are on duty 24 hours to immediately investigate calls of abuse and neglect. Supervisors are also on duty for case consultations and supervision.
By law, certain professions are required to report suspected child abuse, neglect, and molestation.  This must be done immediately by telephone and must be followed within 36 hours in writing.

SAFELY SURRENDERED BABIES

There is an option. Don't abandon your baby.

UPDATE (9/20/2017):
The State of California has a statewide, toll-free hotline that will give callers information on safe surrender sites in their area.

The number is:
1-877-BABYSAF
1-877-222-9723

What is the Safely Surrendered Baby Law?

The Safely Surrendered Baby Law allows a parent or person with lawful custody to surrender a baby confidentially, without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment. This law allows for at least a 14-day cooling off period, which begins the day the child is voluntarily surrendered. During this period, the person who surrendered the child can return to the hospital to reclaim the child.

How Does it Work?

A parent who is unable or unwilling to care for an infant can legally and confidentially surrender their baby within 3 days of birth. Babies may be surrendered to any public or private hospital emergency room in California. A bracelet will be placed on the baby for identification and a matching bracelet will be given to the parent. The bracelet will help identify the child if the parent changes their mind during the cooling off period. A baby can be safely surrendered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Does a Parent Have to Give Any Information to the people Taking the Baby?

No. Nothing is required. Hospital personnel will give the parent a medical information questionnaire designed to gather family medical history, which would be useful in caring for the child. It is up to the parent if they wish to give any additional information concerning the baby.

What Happens to the Baby?

Safely surrendered babies are given a medical exam and placed in a foster home or pre-adoptive home.

What Happens to the Parent?

Parents who safely surrender their baby may leave the hospital emergency room without fear of arrest or prosecution for child abandonment. Their identity will remain confidential and they will have the comfort of knowing their baby will remain in safe hands. If during the cooling off period the parents decide that they want to reclaim the baby, they can take the identifying bracelet back to the hospital, where staff will provide information about the baby.

Why is California Doing This?

The purpose of the Safely Surrendered Baby Law is to protect infants from abandonment. Abandoning an infant puts the child in extreme danger and is also illegal. The new law helps prevent exposing the child to the risks of abandonment and helps protect the parent from prosecution for criminal child abandonment. Under this new law, no one ever has to abandon a child again.

Who Can I Contact for More Information?

The State of California has a statewide, toll-free hotline that will give callers information on safe surrender sites in their area. The number is 1-877-BABYSAF or 1-877-222-9723.

If you or someone you know wants to surrender a baby, please take the child to any hospital emergency room. Remember: no shame, no blame, no names . . . it’s the law. If you would like to know more information about the Safely Surrendered Baby Law, please visit State of California Safely Surrendered Baby Program.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.  This month the County of Fresno recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.  During the month of April and throughout the year, we acknowledge and encourage the support of organizations that provide services to families with the goal of preventing child abuse and neglect.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION SERVICES

Neighborhood Resource Centers

PREVENTION PARTNERS

Fresno Council on Child Abuse Prevention

The Fresno Council on Child Abuse Prevention (FCCAP) is a nonprofit organization designated by the County of Fresno as the County’s Child Abuse Prevention Council. FCCAP coordinates community child abuse efforts, trains mandated reporters, provides community education and serves as a collaborative body of county-wide stakeholders.

Office of Child Abuse Prevention

The Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP) serves as a statewide source of information, developing and disseminating educational material regarding prevention/early intervention programs, activities, and research.

PREVENTION RESOURCES

Social Media Tools

Organizations, individuals, and other stakeholders can use the following prevention outreach tools to raise awareness and to engage our community to support children, youth, and families.  By spreading the word on social media, together we can help families thrive. 

Child Welfare Information Gateway Outreach Toolkit

Office of Child Abuse Prevention Social Media Toolkit

CHILD WELFARE NEWSLETTERS

View MailChimp Newsletters

View May/June 2019 Newsletter 

BECOMING A RESOURCE FAMILY

Open your heart. Open your home.

For additional information on becoming a resource family, please give us a call at 1-877-533-KIDS (5437).

What is Resource Family Approval?

Resource Family Approval (RFA) is a new family friendly and child-centered caregiver approval process that combines elements of the current foster parent licensing, relative approval and approvals for adoption and guardianship and replaces those processes.

RFA:

• Is streamlined: It eliminates the duplication of existing processes
• Unifies approval standards for all caregivers regardless of the child's case plan
• Includes a comprehensive psychosocial assessment, home environment check and training for all families, including relatives
• Prepares families to better meet the needs of vulnerable children in the foster care system
• Allows seamless transition to permanency

INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM

Contact Independent Living Program (ILP) Staff

Phone: 559-600-6689
Email: CWSILP@fresnocountyca.gov

Please click here for location and office hours.  

What is the Fresno County Independent Living Program?

The Independent Living Program (ILP) provides services to current and former foster and probation youth ages 14-21 residing in Fresno County. Our goal is to provide a sense of community and belonging while helping teach and develop the necessary skills and support to obtain self-sufficiency. ILP social workers assist in the development of transitional plans, extended foster care plans (AB12), academic advising, employment referrals, transportation options, and housing options. ILP offers classes, linkages to other resources, health and job services, and events.

What are ILP Aftercare Services?

Once a youth has been dismissed from Juvenile Dependency (foster care) or Juvenile Delinquency (probation), youth may continue to be eligible to receive ILP services. The youth must meet with an ILP social worker to determine eligibility and to open an ILP aftercare case. An aftercare case entitles the youth to receive ILP services until the age of 21.

Job Services

The Job Specialist can assist with resumes, mock interviews, or job searches. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact the ILP office.

Health Services

A Public Health Nurse (PHN) is located on site at the ILP office. The PHN is available to consult and provide education regarding health concerns, reproduction/sexual health, make referrals to providers, and provide linkages for pregnant and parenting youth. For more information or to schedule an appointment contact the ILP office.