Posted on 11/12/2020
Essex County Social Services Department introduces the Hotline Mandated Reporter Portal. Created by the Virginia Department of Social Services’ (VDSS) Division of Family Services (DFS), this portal provides a streamlined and easily accessible way for Mandated Reporters in Virginia to submit reports of suspected child abuse and neglect. The portal can be accessed at vacps.dss.virginia.gov. Please visit https://youtu.be/hkbSl4XKVrE for an infomercial that provides an overview of the new portal.
The Local Departments of social services (LDSS) are responsible for receiving reports of child abuse and neglect; determining the validity of CPS reports; and providing services that enhance child safety and prevent further abuse and neglect. VDSS operates a 24/7 CPS Hotline that performs the intake function for LDSS on a full-time basis for some agencies and after business hours and on holidays for others. Now, we are offering this streamlined, user-friendly portal to ensure timely receipt and follow up for reports of suspected abuse and neglect.
Benefits of the Mandated Reporter (MR) Portal include:
- Reduced wait time for mandated reporters making a report; online offers a quicker option to file a report.
- Mandated Reporters create a secure account, which will minimize the amount of time needed in making subsequent reports.
- Information is entered by the mandated reporter, which increases the accuracy of the reporter's account of what happened.
Information about the Portal:
- Data from the MR Portal is "transmitted" to OASIS and processed by VDSS Hotline staff.
- Stakeholders' input was utilized in the development and design of the portal.
- The portal is intuitive and user friendly.
The portal contains helpful resources.