Mandatory Reporting

Who is a Mandatory Reporter?

In Vermont, Mandatory Reporters are any employees, contractors and grantees of the Agency of Human Services, or individuals who work in a profession involved in caregiving or is a caregiver to a vulnerable adult. A “caregiver” is a person, agency, facility, or other organization with responsibility for providing subsistence or medical or other care to an adult who is an elder or has a disability, who has assumed the responsibility voluntarily, by contract, or by an order of the Court; or a person providing care, including medical care, custodial care, personal care, mental health services, rehabilitative services, or any other kind of care provided which is required because of another’s age or disability.

What are the Requirements for Mandatory Reporters?

Mandatory reporters are required to make a report to Adult Protective Services (APS) when they suspect or receive information that a vulnerable adult has been or is being abused, neglected, or exploited. Mandatory reporters are required to report, even if they do not believe the information they have received alleging abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult is true.

Mandatory reporters are required to make a report within 48 hours of knowing or reasonably suspecting or receiving information about or alleging abuse, neglect or exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Mandatory reporters are required to submit reports orally or in writing that includes:

1. The mandatory reporter’s name and address. (Mandatory reporters may not make anonymous reports.)
2. The name and address of the vulnerable adult, if known.
3. The name and address of the persons responsible for the care of the vulnerable adult, if known.
4. The age of the vulnerable adult and the nature of their disability, if known.
5. The nature and extent of the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the vulnerable adult, to include any evidence of previous abuse, neglect, or exploitation, if known.
6. Any other information the mandatory reporter believes might be helpful in establishing the causes of the injuries or the reasons for the known, reasonably suspected or alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Reporters may include in their report their opinions about the veracity of the information they received and are reporting to APS.
7. Any other information the mandatory reporter believes might be helpful in protecting the vulnerable adult.

Mandatory Reporter Training

In Person

APS offers in-person training seminars to the staff of community-based providers and other community groups in an effort to prevent and reduce the abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults. This training is provided monthly on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 1:30-3:00 at the State Office Complex in Waterbury, VT. To register for this training, please call Jared Hodgin at (802) 241-0280.

Online

APS has published Mandatory Reporters and Vulnerable Adults at YouTube. This online training matches the training that is provided in person in Waterbury every month. The training will help you learn reporting requirements from anywhere you have an Internet Connection.