If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, please contact the nearest Department for Children and Families (DCF) Family Services district office by phone or letter. If the child is in immediate danger, contact local police or dial 911. If you are unsure whether the situation warrants a report, please call the DCF office for guidance. Remember, you do not need to prove that the child or youth has been abused.
Where To Make A Report
To make a report, call or write to the DCF Family Services Division. If you are a mandated reporter with a concern, keep in mind that DCF must receive your report within 24 hours. Regular week day office hours are between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. You can report to the DCF Family Services Division at 1-800 649-5285 in Vermont or (802) 863-7533 from outside Vermont. Calls accepted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
**PLEASE NOTE** On September 2, 2008, DCF has transitioned to a centralized intake process where one location takes all calls for the state Calls accepted 24 hours a day.
BARRE - (802) 479-4260
255 North Main Street, Suite 7, Barre, VT 05641
BENNINGTON - (802) 442-8138
200 Veterans Memorial Drive, Suite 14, Bennington, VT 05201
BRATTLEBORO - (802) 257-2888
2nd Floor, 232 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301
BURLINGTON - (802) 863-7370
426 Industrial Ave. Ste. 120, Williston, VT 05495
HARTFORD - (802) 295-8840
226 Holiday Drive, Suite 32, White River Junction, VT 05001
MIDDLEBURY - (802) 388-4660
700 Exchange Street, Suite 105, Middlebury, VT 05753
MORRISVILLE - (802) 888-4576
63 Professional Drive, Suite 3, Morrisville, VT 05661
NEWPORT - (802) 334-6723
100 Main Street, Suite 230, Newport, VT 05855
RUTLAND - (802) 786-5817
88 Merchants Row, 220 Asa Bloomer Building, Rutland, VT 05701
ST. ALBANS - (802) 527-7741
20 Houghton Street, Suite 211, St. Albans, VT 05478
ST. JOHNSBURY - (802) 748-8374
67 Eastern Avenue, Suite 4, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819
SPRINGFIELD - (802) 885-8900
100 Mineral Street, Suite 101, Springfield, VT 05156
When you call DCF to make a report, an intake worker will question you about the child’s situation, record the information you provide, ask you to complete a brief written report, and in some cases, ask you to gather more information. When reporting, try to have as much information on hand as possible. If known, provide:
- Child’s name, age, date of birth, and other identifying information that you know, such as school location or daycare, etc.
- Name, address, and phone number of the child’s parent/caretaker or other person legally responsible for the care of the child.
- Names and ages of siblings or other children living in the home.
- Have the answers to the Who? What? Where? and When? concerning the situation you are reporting.
- A description of any physical and/or behavioral symptoms of abuse or neglect you observed.
- A description of any incidents you observed of a child being directly harmed, left unsupervised in dangerous situations, or other reasons for your concern.
- Names and addresses of the child’s extended family members and close family friends.
Vermont law provides you immunity from civil or criminal liability as long as your report was made in good faith.
Depending on the nature of your relationship with the family, you may feel it would be helpful to inform the parents that you are making a report. We strongly recommend that you contact DCF for advice before taking this step. In some cases, informing the parents could endanger the child and hinder the investigation while in other cases it may be helpful to providing protection for the child. The DCF intake worker is an invaluable resource in deciding whether to take the step to inform the parent(s) that you are making a report.