MANDATED REPORTER
• Psychological Abuse: Acts that inflict emotional harm, invoke fear and/or
humiliate, intimidate, degrade, demean or otherwise negatively impact the mental
health or safety of an Individual.
• Sexual Abuse: Any sexual contact or encouragement of sexual activity between a
family member, paid staff or a volunteer and an Individual, regardless of consent.
• Verbal Abuse: The use of offensive and/or intimidating language that can
provoke or upset an Individual.
Mandated Reporting Requirements:
If you suspect abuse or neglect, you must immediately:
1. Intervene: If it is safe to do so, take action to stop the abuse/neglect and protect
the Individual
2. Verbal Reporting:
• Make an immediate verbal report to your manager, on-call manager, area Project
Coordinator, or Program Director. Ensure the report is made verbally, leaving a
voicemail or sending a text message does not fulfill the responsibility of a mandated
reporter
• You must also report directly to the Connecticut Department of Developmental
Services (DDS) Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-844-878-8923
3. Written Reporting:
• Within 48 hours of making the verbal report, submit a written report to DDS
using the official DDS reporting form (255 form).
• The report should include all pertinent information, such as the nature of the
abuse or neglect, the identities of those involved, and any other relevant details.