If immediate danger is suspected, always call 911
Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse and Neglect
If you, or someone you know, is an elderly or dependent adult and in need of protective services due to abuse, neglect, or exploitation, you may request help from Tuolumne County Adult Protective Services (APS).
The following may be reported:
· Physical Abuse
· Sexual Abuse/Assault
· Isolation
· Abandonment
· Abduction
· Financial Abuse
· Neglect (which includes self-neglect)
Making a Report
Reports can be made in person at 20111 Cedar Rd N, Sonora, over the telephone at 209.533.5717, or by fax at 209.533.7355 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 209-533-HELP (209-533-4357) evenings, weekends, and holidays. If immediate danger is suspected, please call 911.
In addition to a verbal report, mandated reporters must submit the SOC 341 report to their receiving protective services agency.
When a report is received, APS social workers investigate the allegations and assess the situation in an attempt to identify the most practical resolution. An agreement between the client and APS, Which identifies the problems and solutions may be developed with the cooperation of the APS client. Most APS clients are referred to appropriate service providers in the community.
Mandated Reporters
Anyone may report abuse, however, state law requires certain individuals to report suspected abuse. Mandated reporters include, but are not limited to:
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Failure to report suspected dependent adult or elder abuse / neglect is a misdemeanor.
The CDSS Adult Protective Services (APS) program offers a free online mandated reporter training for everyone working with elder and dependent adults. The link to the training is available through the Academy for Professional Excellence, and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The online course reviews how, when, and where to report suspected abuse and/or neglect of elders and dependent adults, as well as what to expect after a report is filed. Mandated Reporter responsibilities are detailed, and how to recognize the signs of abuse are thoroughly examined.
Please remember to complete the SOC 341 Form (Report of Suspected Dependent Adult / Elder Abuse) within two days of making a telephone report, and fax it to: 209-533-7355. Financial institutions must use the SOC 342 report form.
Please mail the original, signed SOC 341/342 to:
Adult Protective Services
20111 Cedar Road N.
Sonora, CA 95370
Child Abuse and Neglect
Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting: Anyone can report a case of ‘suspected’ child abuse or neglect. It is not necessary to have all the hard evidence or proof in order to report, only a suspicion. However, reports must be made in good faith. It is important to use common sense. Making a false or malicious child abuse report may have legal consequences. Confidentiality regarding the identity of the reporters, the reports and the records maintained by child protective agencies, and the Department of Justice are strictly controlled. To make a report, please call one of the two numbers listed below, depending on the day and time you wish to make the report:
Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm: (209) 533-5717
After hours, weekends and holidays: (209) 533-HELP (4357)
Certain professions are required to report known or suspected child abuse/neglect cases immediately, by telephone (as above), and then follow-up with written documentation utilizing the Suspected Child Abuse Report (SS 8572) http://www.caag.state.ca.us/childabuse/pdf/ss_8572.pdf
Please fax this report to: (209) 533-5742
Then, please send the original copy of the SS 8572 Report to:
Child Welfare Services; 20111 Cedar Road North; Sonora, CA 95370.
“Mandated Reporters” are teachers, instructional or teacher’s aides, school administrative officers, classified public or private school employees, supervisors of child welfare and attendance, certified pupil personnel employees, administrators of public/private youth centers, youth recreation programs and organizations, licensees, administrators or employees of community care facilities or licensed child day care facilities, Head Start teachers, licensing workers/evaluators, public assistance workers, employees of child care institutions including foster parents, group home personnel, personnel or residential care facilities, social workers, probation officers, any category of physician, psychiatrists, psychologists, or any therapist, licensed or unlicensed, dentists, resident physicians or interns, any emergency medical technician, paramedic, psychological assistant or counselor trainee, state or county public health employees, coroners, or religious practitioners, police or sheriff’s department employees, county welfare employees, firefighters, animal control and humane society officers, and commercial film/photographic print processors.
Mandated reporters who fail to report an instance of known or suspected child abuse is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by jail time of no more than six (6) months and/or a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1000), or both.
The CDSS Office of Child Abuse Prevention offers free online mandated reporter training for all social workers and and individuals identified as mandated reporters. The link to this training is accessible at the child abuse mandated reporter website.
To learn more about child abuse awareness and prevention, visit this link http://preventchildabuse.org/
Welfare Fraud
Reporting Welfare Fraud: If you believe you may have witnessed welfare fraud, which is considered a crime, you may contact the Welfare Fraud Special Investigative Unit, located within the Tuolumne County Department of Social Services. Please call (209) 533-5711 and ask to speak to the Fraud Unit to file a report. Reports can be made anonymously, if necessary. A complete and detailed referral should be made to the Fraud Unit when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a crime, such as fraud, perjury, embezzlement, trafficking, etc., against a public social services program has been committed. Be prepared to give details on:
Names
Addresses
Children’s names and ages
An explanation of the fraudulent circ*mstances
Approximate time period of crime committed
What is Welfare Fraud?: Fraud exists when a person, on behalf of himself or others has:
Knowingly (with the intent to deceive or defraud) made a false statement or representation to obtain public assistance benefits, obtain a continuance or increase in these benefits, or avoid a reduction of public assistance benefits.
Knowingly (with the intent to deceive or defraud) failed to disclose a fact, which, if disclosed, could have resulted in the denial, reduction or discontinuance of benefits.
Accepted benefits knowing s/he is not entitled to, or accepted any amount of benefits knowing it is greater than the amount to which s/he is entitled.
Made statements, which s/he did not know to be true, with reckless regard for the truth, for the purpose of obtaining, continuing or avoiding a reduction or denial of public assistance benefits.
What happens after a report is made? Cases of suspected fraud are evaluated by the Department of Social Service’s Special Investigations Unit. If public assistance overpayments are determined, repayment arrangements are established. These cases may also be referred to the Tuolumne County District Attorney’s Office for consideration of prosecution. We do prosecute Welfare Fraud in Tuolumne County!
Did you know? Approximately $50,000 is recovered and repaid each year, as a result of Welfare Fraud investigation activities.
