Anonymous wrote:Nannies ARE mandated reporters.
But if you have no evidence of abuse or neglect you'll have to decide if you think it warrants a CPS visit.
The poster who wrote that is clearly ignorant on these matters given they reference tearing a family apart. CPS does not automatically yank a child out of the home for someone being concerned. They do multiple visits, assessments, interview family/caregivers/teachers as they feel is necessary and will provide education and support to the family if needed. A child is only removed if there is proof of abuse/neglect severe enough to warrant immediate removal AND if the child cannot be kept safe in the home environment. If there was substantiated abuse by one parent and not the other- if the parents agreed for the abusive parent to Not have access to the children outside of what CPS allows and move out during the investigation the children would still remain at home even if they were being beaten to bruises on a regular basis by the offending parent. The last thing CPS WANTS to do is remove a child. They make EVERY effort to not do so unless they feel the child cannot / would not be kept safe.
It's not always a perfect system, but I've worked as part of it and feel the fear and ignorance needs to end. The first goal is to make sure the child is safe, and then that the family has and utilizes the supports and resources they need. You'd be amazed at what it can take to get a child removed sometimes. Nothing in th OP indicates that anything other than talking to the family md providing education/support would happen. No removal of parents or children. It may very well be the help the whole family needs.
This was my experience with CPS as a kid and thinking about it continues to make my blood boil today. All the investigation and efforts to "educate" my parents changed nothing. It only further enraged my father that we said anything, and the fact that nothing actually happened emboldened. Thanks a lot CPS!