In a nondescript high rise in downtown Reno, 6 full time operators field the calls. This is where the tips come in. As intake supervisor Kristen Monibi showed us, "These guys are fielding calls form the community, with new reports of suspected abuse and neglect." Neighbors, family, teachers and strangers reporting what they've witnessed. Or what they suspect is a child being abused. Monibi tells us, "All calls go through a structured screening process with statewide standardized questioning."
The operators know what to ask to determine the validity and seriousness of each call. 60% of the calls don't meet criteria. For the ones that do, the follow up has not changed much. She tells us, "The next step is the cases get assigned to an assessment worker with a response time." Footwork from case workers, who make a visit to the home in question, giving no advance notice. It’s a busy crew. CPS Childrens Services Director Ryan Gustafson says, "Reports have remained fairly consistent over the last few years."
A lot of reports. Of course, even one case is one case too many. But in reality, it’s really quite staggering…but sadly not unusual. For the latest 12-month period from July 1st 2017 to June 30th this year, 6,943 situations were reported to Washoe County's Human Services Agency...a slight increase. 4,782 passed on information, but 1,950 rose to the level of an investigation.
They are cold numbers, but many cases never go reported. Too many people are reluctant to report what they suspect or know. What if the abuse is not witnessed? What if you just have suspicions of abuse? In cases of mild physical or emotional abuse, where do you draw the line? Gustafson says, "If there's a suspicion we would also make that report. Really, when you make a report, that's a request for HSA to go and investigate, to gather information and determine whether or not to investigate that situation."
Ryan says they're here to help, and to not hesitate making the call that could mean the world to a child in peril. As he says, "It's busy work. It's certainly hectic. But it's very important and much needed work in the community."
Here is that number to call: to file a report of suspected abuse or neglect, call 775-785-8600. That's a 24-hour reporting line.
