Santa Cruz County Family and Children’s Services encourages family support to help keep children safe and families together whenever possible. In alignment with a statewide effort that began in 2025, we are collaborating on a shift from a historic “mandated reporting” model that focused on investigation first, to a “community supporting” approach focused on prevention and early connection.

 

This focus on prevention provides a compassionate and effective system for everyone involved. It allows families to access useful resources such as housing, food or childcare before intervention from Child Welfare Services (CWS) becomes necessary.

 

 The Child, Youth & Family Well-Being Partnership initiative is at the center of this work. A key goal is to improve long-term outcomes by connecting families to the right resources at the right time. It reflects a broader movement toward family well-being and prevention-focused child welfare, designed to build trust, reduce stigma, and strengthen community support networks across Santa Cruz County.

Santa Cruz County’s collaborative community supporting efforts prioritizes early support and services. This helps strengthen families and keep them safely together whenever possible.

 

This effort is rethinking historic mandated reporting protocols and providing a more compassionate and effective system for everyone involved. It also helps families access resources – such as housing, food or childcare – before involving CWS. Mandated reporters are encouraged to explore supportive services that address the root causes of family challenges, many of which are linked to poverty.

 

Educators, Healthcare Providers, Case Managers, etc.

Even when a report is not required, families may need help. Utilize 211 for support services such as:

Santa Cruz County is moving from mandated reporting to community supporting - prioritizing early support and services to strengthen families and keep them safely together whenever possible.

 

This change helps families access resources – such as housing, food or childcare – before involving Child Protective Services (CPS). Mandated reporters are encouraged to explore supportive services that address the root causes of family challenges, many of which are linked to poverty.

 

 

Mandated reporters play a vital role in protecting children. Child abuse affects families of any background and takes many forms. However, many Family and Children Services (FCS) calls don’t lead to intervention. In Santa Cruz County and across California, the majority of reports do not meet the legal threshold for abuse and neglect.

 

Reporting a family is a serious step. Support should come first, but intervention is essential when there is reasonable suspicion or evidence of physical, sexual or emotional abuse or intentional neglect.

 

Reports to FCS can permanently impact the lives of children and their families. It is important to be intentional when making the report based on facts about the child and family circumstances. Clear and present concerns about child safety must always be reported.

 

This decision support tool is designed to: