Registered Dental Hygienist in Alternative Practice (RDHAP) Law and Ethics Practice Exam

Reports of suspected child abuse or neglect may be made to which of the following agencies?

1. Only the school district police department

2. County welfare department or police department

3. Only local child support agencies

4. Any private organization

The correct answer is: County welfare department or police department

The correct answer is based on the recognized procedure for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect, which is primarily directed towards official government agencies tasked with child welfare. Reports should typically be made to the county welfare department or the police department, as these entities have the responsibility and authority to investigate allegations of child abuse and ensure the safety of the child involved. The county welfare department is specifically designed to handle child protective services, which includes reviewing reports of neglect and abuse. Similarly, local police departments have the capability to investigate these types of allegations. There is a structured protocol for reporting abuse to ensure proper investigation and protection of the child. In contrast, a school district police department, while having some law enforcement authority, may not be the appropriate first contact for comprehensive child welfare cases. Local child support agencies focus on issues related to child support payments rather than child abuse investigations. Private organizations, while they may offer support services, do not have the jurisdiction or legal authority to handle or investigate reports of suspected child abuse adequately. Thus, reporting to official government agencies ensures that due process and legal protections are maintained for the child and the accused.