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Stakeholders urge mandated-reporting overhaul; focus on standardized training and community alternatives
Summary
Advocates, foundations and state agencies told the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 that California should standardize mandated-reporter training, reduce unnecessary CPS reports and invest in community alternatives to avoid traumatizing families, while preserving child safety.
Chair Camille Jackson convened a panel on mandated-reporting reform that focused on reducing unnecessary child-protective services (CPS) reports, creating a standard training curriculum, and expanding community-based alternatives to investigation.
The core argument from speakers with lived experience and technical assistance organizations was that the current system produces a high share of unsubstantiated reports and that inconsistent training contributes to both overreporting and racial disparities. "Our current mandated reporting system has a nearly 90% failure rate," said Dana Blackwell, senior director for California strategic consultation at Casey Family Programs, citing the task force report. Blackwell said standard training and community investment could reduce trauma and avoid unnecessary investigations.
Roger De Leon Jr., who described himself as a parent partner and survivor of mandated reporting, urged the committee to invest in communities rather than expand surveillance systems. "Why would you invest in a system when you can invest in a community?" he asked, advocating for alternatives that reduce the number of reports entering CPS while retaining the hotline for cases that meet statutory thresholds.
State officials described steps under way to implement task-force recommendations. Jennifer Troia of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) said CDSS is forming a mandated-reporting advisory committee and is updating mandated-reporter training, including focus groups. David Swanson Hollander, CDSS chief deputy director, said the state will assess the 49 categories of mandated reporters to determine if all categories remain necessary to protect children and families.
County and labor representatives urged caution on rollout and flagged operational concerns. Diana Boyer of the County Welfare Directors Association said counties have tried differential-response approaches in the past but often lacked sustained funding. Tiffany Whiting of SEIU California, representing county child-welfare workers, warned that alternative-response pilots in some counties had led to unclear follow-up responsibilities and urged specific training, delineated roles, and adequate funding.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) offered to provide technical assistance and recommended the legislature consider standardized decision-making tools and evaluation of early implementers such as Humboldt, Los Angeles and San Diego counties. Chair Jackson closed by asking the administration for a near-term cost estimate for the proposed training framework and seeking continued stakeholder engagement as language is refined.
