Anyone – including a parent, advocate, or guardian – can make a report to the Vulnerable Persons Central Register (VPCR) hotline and is encouraged to make a report when they have knowledge or have reason to believe that a person with special needs has been abused, neglected, or mistreated. However, some people are required to report to the VPCR. These “mandated reporters” include provider agency staff and human service professionals who, by nature of their job, must report allegations of abuse and neglect. Mandated reporters include direct support staff, clinicians, administrative staff, and other human service professionals.
The Vulnerable Persons Central Register (VPCR) is a toll-free hotline and incident reporting system for allegations of abuse and neglect available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Whenever a mandated reporter has reasonable cause to suspect a reportable incident occurred, he or she is required to immediately report to the VPCR. Reporting may be delayed to ensure the safety of staff and people receiving services, including calling 9-1-1. A report must be made to the VPCR within 24 hours of the mandated reporter’s discovery of a reportable incident. The Justice Center cannot release the name(s) of the person(s) who made the report to the VPCR hotline or the name(s) of any person(s) who cooperated in the investigation to the public or to any person not authorized by law to receive such information.
This guidance document outlines the reporting requirements for direct support professionals and other custodians.
