Social Worker Empowerment Hotline (AB 1978)

The mission of child welfare is to ensure the safety and well-being of children and families. Help us to support accountability and ensure child welfare services can consistently meet this mission.

Remember, when you report concerns, you not only protect children and families, but also support the improvement of children’s systems though accountability.

WHO CAN REPORT CONCERNS THROUGH THIS HOTLINE?

Social workers who have reasonable cause to believe that a policy, procedure, or practice, related to the provision of child welfare services by a county child welfare agency, that meets the criteria listed below, may make a voluntary report to this hotline.

WHAT TYPES OF REPORTS CAN BE MADE TO THIS HOTLINE?

Any concerns regarding policies, procedures, or practices, related to the provision of child welfare services by a county child welfare agency, that i) endangers the health or well-being of children, ii) are contrary to existing statute or regulation, or iii) are contrary to public policy can be reported through the hotline.

Types of reports that are not able to be accepted include: 

• Labor disputes, such as general personnel matters or disciplinary actions taken within the county;
• Caseload size complaints that are not part of a larger systemic concern;
• County facilities, physical plant or work accommodations.

Reports from members of the public who are not employed as Social Workers in a county child welfare agency or State Adoptions Workers contracted to provide adoptions services to county child welfare agencies.

Additional Resources:

For concerns about children or youth in foster care, you can contact the Foster CareOmbudsman’s Office to report abuse or right’s violations, as well as other foster care concerns.

For concerns or violations in licensed foster care, residential or child care facilities, you can make a report to Community Care Licensing.

To report child abuse or neglect, please contact the County Child Welfare Hotline in the county where the child resides.  For a list of county reporting hotlines, please see the current list.

To file a complaint about county staff or to contact the county directly, please see the list of county contacts County Office Contacts.