Read the full report here!
Background
The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) has released a new report documenting the design, implementation, and early outcomes of its statewide Mandated Reporter Training (MRT). Mandated reporting is a legal requirement under both federal and state law, grounded in the Federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), which conditions federal funding on states maintaining systems for reporting known or suspected child abuse and neglect.
In Massachusetts, mandated reporters are specific professionals who are legally required to report concerns to the Department of Children and Families (DCF). This system is based on the understanding that children, particularly young children and children with disabilities, may be unable to recognize or report maltreatment themselves and rely on adults to act in their best interest.
In August 2023, the OCA launched a free, online, on-demand Mandated Reporter Training, including a general module for all mandated reporters and a specialized module for educators. Schools account for the largest share of mandated reports in Massachusetts, making educator-specific training a key focus of the initiative.
Since launch, the general module has been completed more than 11,000 times, and the educator module nearly 17,000 times. Users demonstrate increased knowledge, and overall feedback on the training has been highly positive. The general module is also available in Spanish.
Next Steps
The OCA plans to continue refining and expanding the Mandated Reporter Training. In July 2025, the curriculum was updated to reduce repetition based on user feedback, add content on sexual abuse grooming, and reflect changes in law related to prenatal substance exposure. The OCA is also working to shorten the educator learning pathway, develop optional advanced scenarios, and explore additional profession-specific modules in the future.
CLM's Take
CLM supports efforts to improve mandated reporter training to ensure reporters feel confident in deciding how to help families access support when abuse or neglect is not clear. Enhanced training can help clarify when families might be struggling but do not need involvement with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Massachusetts data shows that a significant share of 51A reports do not result in formal responses, with 45% of reports screened out in the third quarter of FY2025 — meaning many reported concerns do not meet the criteria for investigation (Massachusetts Department of Children & Families Quarterly Profile, FY2025 Q3). Together, our goal should be avoiding unnecessary system entry and focusing on appropriate support pathways, preserving DCF-level intervention for children who are truly being harmed by abuse or neglect.
We also support targeted training for educators, who have the most frequent and reliable contact with children, and are a leading group of mandated reporters. Educator-focused training aligns with efforts like the Massachusetts Initiative to Reduce Child Neglect led by The Children’s Trust, which is bringing state agencies, providers, and communities together to shift toward prevention and reduce unnecessary reporting.
It is critical that training be paired with clear alternative pathways and access points so that mandated reporters can connect families with supports and services when concerns do not rise to the level of abuse or neglect. This combination of quality training and accessible support options can help promote equitable, child-centered outcomes while reducing unnecessary involvement with the child welfare system.
Citation: Massachusetts Department of Children & Families, Quarterly Profile — FY2025 Q3 (Jan 1–Mar 31, 2025), shows that 45% of 51A reports were screened out and 48% were screened in for response. Available at: https://www.mass.gov/doc/dcf-quarterly-profile-fy2025-q3-report/download Massachusetts Government