Vermont statute mandates that an individual working with children and families “who reasonably suspects abuse or neglect of a child” must report the case to the child abuse and neglect hotline. The list of individuals includes but is not limited to health care providers, to school district employees or contractors, to child care workers, to members of the clergy.
It is important to note that Vermont Family Services Division (FSD) accepts intakes that involve out-of-home perpetrators as well as intakes connected to juvenile justice concerns, whereas many other states do not. This often results in Vermont reflecting higher rates of intakes per 1,000 when compared to the national data as our child protection system is more expansive.
The chart below shows the rate of intakes per 1,000 children in Vermont and nationally.
Data Source
Administration for Children and Families. (2024). Child Maltreatment Reports, 2013–2022.
Related Indicators
Child Protection Cases by Type – The chart shows the number of cases by type of DCF involvement.
Indicators
Child Victimization Rates – The chart shows the rate of child victimization in Vermont and nationally.